Jurgen Klopp plans to call up new players for Germany national team from Bundesliga 3

Jurgen Klopp has never been one to do things the conventional way. So it tracks that his first squad selection as Germany’s head coach will reportedly include players plucked from Bundesliga 3, the country’s third tier of professional football. The move signals just how aggressively Klopp intends to reshape a national team that limped out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the round of 32. A 57-player shortlist and counting At his introductory press conference after being appointed in July 2026, Klopp revealed he had already reviewed 57 outfield players as potential candidates for the national team. His first official squad announcement is set for September 17, 2026, and it won’t look like a typical 23-man roster. Reports indicate Klopp plans to name up to 30 or more players, blowing past the standard limit to give himself a wider evaluation window. The reasoning is practical. Germany faces four Nations League matches in quick succession against the Netherlands, Greece (twice), and Serbia. An expanded roster lets Klopp manage workloads across that compressed schedule while simultaneously auditioning new faces. Why the third division matters Calling up players from Bundesliga 3 might sou...