Netherlands vs. Germany preview: Team news and predicted lineups

Team news, predicted lineups and key insights ahead of Netherlands vs. Germany in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

How will Jürgen Klopp line up for his first game as Germany coach? That's surely a question on the minds of many football enthusiasts, as the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach prepares for his debut as DFB boss, facing the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday in the UEFA Nations League.

Klopp's reign as Germany coach started with a creative decision, as the 59-year-old opted to call up two squads – consisting of 24 and 20 players respectively – instead of just one for Germany's upcoming four games.

With Germany coming off the back of a disappointing round-of-32 World Cup exit against Paraguay, there is hope that Klopp will be able to guide the team back to success, with the 59-year-old embracing the pressure.

“Lesson number one: We learn to have fun under pressure. When there is pressure, it means something is at stake, that it's important, and then you can fully focus. Looking at the potential, everyone is good enough for this. We have to look at how we can help the boys, together with their club coaches. I don't believe a player has to go through every level of the national setup to be good enough,” Klopp said at a press conference last week. 

“We'll support the boys, and of course it depends on them. It's not important who plays, but how you play. We have to make our mark through the way we play, and we have little time to do that. We'll try everything to make a new approach visible. I expect more immediately. It could get a little wild, but I'm willing to accept that – it just has to be lively. I intend to use the time between international matches to stay in contact. Footballing quality becomes visible when the team has stability in defence. We can help turn this incredible potential into quality, and that's our job.”

Similarly to Germany, the Netherlands are coming off a disappointing round-of-32 shootout elimination at the World Cup and heading into the game with a new coach, with FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez having replaced Ronald Koeman following the defeat to Morocco.

The two teams have met four times in the last four years, and Germany can take confidence from the fact that they haven't lost any of those meetings, winning two and drawing two. The most recent encounter was played two years ago, when a Jamie Leweling goal secured a 1-0 win for Germany.
 

Team news and predicted lineups:

The Netherlands will have to manage without Frenkie de Jong, Mats Wieffer, Ian Maatsen, Matthijs de Ligt, Jerdy Schouten and Xavi Simons. In addition, Donyell Malen and Justin Kluivert have been replaced in the squad by Mexx Meerdink and Guus Til after picking up injuries.

As for Germany, there have been no fresh injury blows, with Klopp relying on a 24-man squad for the first two 2026/27 UEFA Nations League games, starting with the upcoming fixture against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

The 59-year-old confirmed last week that Marc-André ter Stegen is his No. 1 in goal. Nathaniel Brown, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah all look set to start in defence, with Josha Vagnoman most likely to get the nod at right-back after a decent start to the season with VfB Stuttgart.

Klopp has confirmed that Joshua Kimmich will play in central midfield, with the Germany captain expected to start in a double pivot alongside Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha.

Further forward, Jamal Musiala looks set to play in a central attacking midfield role, with the places on the flanks up for grabs. Lennart Karl should have a good chance of starting on the right, while Kevin Schade and Chris Führich will be battling for the spot on the left. Serge Gnabry is another option on the left if deemed fit enough after only recently returning from injury.

Kai Havertz looks nailed on to start up front, with Younes Ebnoutalib providing backup for the Arsenal forward.

Click here to see our predicted Netherlands vs. Germany lineups.