The list of omissions from Jürgen Klopp’s first Germany roster contains plenty of established names, including several players who have been regular parts of the national-team picture.
While none are wholly shocking at this point (the leaks killed most of the surprise), it does represent an era of change for Klopp and the DFB.
The most obvious omission is Deniz Undav. The Stuttgart striker was part of Germany’s recent international setup and was involved at the 2026 World Cup, but he is not included
in Klopp’s first 44-man group. That is particularly notable given the relatively small number of traditional center forwards in the squad. Current reporting specifically identifies Undav as one of the major names Klopp left out.
Leroy Sané is another headline omission. After years of being heralded as Germany’s most dangerous offensive player, the reality has hit that the winger has not lived up to the hype around him. Despite his extensive international experience, Sané has no place in either of Klopp’s two squads. FIFA and multiple German outlets highlighted his absence as one of the major surprises of the announcement.
Oliver Baumann is also missing from the goalkeeper group. With Noah Atubolu, Finn Dahmen, Alexander Nübel, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Jonas Urbig selected, Klopp has opted for a different mix between experience and younger options. Baumann’s omission is notable because he has been part of Germany’s recent goalkeeper rotation.
VfB Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, who had emerged as a consistent part of the team under former boss Julian Nagelsmann, has also been left out, which is extremely curious.
Beyond those four, the roster also creates questions around other familiar names who are not included. Klopp has clearly prioritized experimentation over simply carrying forward the previous hierarchy. That is particularly evident when established international figures are passed over while players with zero senior caps receive opportunities.
The absence of Sané and Undav is especially significant because both were part of Germany’s World Cup-era plans. Their exclusions suggest that Klopp is willing to make personnel decisions based on the football he wants to establish rather than simply maintaining continuity.
Ultimately, the omissions are consistent with the unusual structure of the squad. Klopp has four Nations League matches and 44 players to evaluate, giving him an opportunity to test a much broader pool than a conventional international window allows. The DFB says the large roster is designed in part to allow Klopp to get to know as many players as possible.
For those wondering about Leon Goretzka, the Aston Villa midfielder is currently injured, though he might would have had a difficult time making the cut. For those looking for VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, the midfielder is dealing with a knee injury at the moment.
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