German players celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Florian Wirtz (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
German players celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Curacao in Houston, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Florian Wirtz (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Florian Wirtz will report for international duty later than normal this month after Jurgen Klopp made the unique decision to name two squads for his first four matches.
With the September and October international breaks merged together this year, it means four fixtures will take place instead of the standard two.
Germany will play four Nations League games against the Netherlands, Greece (x2), and Serbia, and Klopp opted to name a 44-man squad and split them into two.
Each squad is then assigned two games, either in the first week or the second, and Wirtz was called up for the third and fourth matches, against Serbia (Oct 1) and Greece (Oct 4).
Florian Wirtz scored a wonderful free-kick as Germany beat Northern Ireland (PA Wire/PA)
Florian Wirtz scored a wonderful free-kick as Germany beat Northern Ireland (PA Wire/PA)
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It means Liverpool’s No. 7 is due to report for national duty later than first expected, giving him a timely break after the trip to Bournemouth on Sunday in a welcome boost for Liverpool.
With eight games in 25 days immediately following the first international break, Klopp managing Wirtz’s workload will be music to Andoni Iraola’s ears.
For context, Leipzig announced their three players assigned to Klopp’s second squad will report for duty on September 27 – watching the game against Greece in the stands before joining training the following day.
It can, therefore, be assumed that Wirtz will have a similar schedule, affording the 23-year-old six days off before he meets Klopp for the first time.
Why Jurgen Klopp has named two different Germany squads
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Newly appointed head coach of the German national soccer team Juergen Klopp attends a news conference at the headquarters of the German Football Association DFB in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Klopp is wasting little time doing things his own way after taking charge of Germany, and he told reporters there is no hierarchy with the squads he has named.
Explaining his decision in a press conference, via BuliNews, the former Liverpool manager said: “It’s mainly because we have to play four games in two weeks, which is very unusual for the national team.
“We haven’t created an A or B team. We want to, and I think that’s normal in football, win all four games.
“The squads are set up so that the positions and the characters fit well together, as well as the number of experienced players and the number of younger players.
“I want to get to know as many players as possible.”
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpools Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring the third goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)