Xavi and Klopp make coaching debuts as Netherlands face Germany in Nations League

The Netherlands and Germany opened their UEFA Nations League 2026/27 campaign on September 24, 2026, at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with both teams fielding new head coaches making their debuts. Xavi Hernández took over the Dutch national team following Ronald Koeman's departure after the Netherlands' group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to Morocco. Jürgen Klopp replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Germany's head coach after Germany's round-of-32 elimination by Paraguay on penalties.

The match served as Matchday 1 of UEFA Nations League A, Group 4. Xavi named a starting XI that included Bart Verbruggen in goal, with Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, and Micky van de Ven forming the defence. Quinten Timber started in midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders, while Crysencio Summerville, Brian Brobbey, and Cody Gakpo formed the attacking line. Klopp selected Marc-André ter Stegen—who won the 2015 Champions League final with Barcelona alongside Xavi—as his goalkeeper. The German defence featured Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Nathaniel Brown, with Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz leading the attack.

Brobbey entered the fixture in form after scoring a hat-trick for club side Sunderland in a recent 5-3 loss to Manchester City. Musiala had been involved in three goals in three matches for Bayern Munich leading up to the international break. Injuries affected both squads: Justin Kluivert and Donyell Malen withdrew from the Netherlands squad, while Brajan Gruda pulled out of Germany's selection.

Klopp noted in the lead-up that both teams faced identical preparation challenges, with squads gathering on Monday for a Thursday match. He acknowledged that his prior experience managing Dutch players including Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool gave him personal familiarity with Netherlands players that Xavi, making his international debut, did not possess. The fixture represented the opening of the 2026/27 Nations League group stage, with both teams aiming to establish new directions following World Cup disappointments.