Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann has named Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega in his 23-man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary.
The 32-year-old Ortega, who joined City in 2022, is one of three goalkeepers included, alongside Stuttgart’s Alexander Nuebel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann. This marks his first call-up to the national team.
Ortega’s inclusion comes as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, remains sidelined due to a serious knee injury. Despite Ter Stegen’s absence, Nagelsmann’s squad is strengthened by the return of Borussia Dortmund midfielders Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha. Brandt, who has not featured for Germany since November 2023, and Nmecha, who earned his lone cap in March 2023 under former coach Hansi Flick, are both recalled after solid performances at the club level.
The German squad will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Freiburg on November 16, followed by an away match against Hungary in Budapest on November 19. Germany has already secured a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, having won three of their four group-stage matches, and are five points clear at the top of Group A3. Nagelsmann aims to finish the group stage with a win, especially with the home advantage in Freiburg.
"After reaching the quarter-finals early, we want to win our Nations League group – if possible in front of our fans at the home game in Freiburg," Nagelsmann said on Thursday.
However, the squad will be without several key players due to injury, including West Ham’s Niclas Fuellkrug, Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, Bayern’s Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Leroy Sane, among others. Nagelsmann acknowledged the challenges posed by these absences but stressed the strength of his squad.
“We have a strong squad, even if we have to restructure in some positions due to injuries," said Nagelsmann, adding that Sane, in particular, needs more match practice after a recent break.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner, currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, has reportedly turned down a senior call-up, opting to remain with Germany’s Under-21 team. Wanner, who is eligible to represent both Austria and Germany, has yet to decide which national team he will commit to at the senior level.
The upcoming Nations League fixtures are crucial for Germany as they look to secure top spot in their group and build momentum ahead of next year’s international tournaments.
