Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has received his first call-up to the German national team, as head coach Julian Nagelsmann announced his squad for the upcoming Nations League matches on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Ortega joins Stuttgart’s Alexander Nuebel and Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann as the three goalkeepers selected in the 23-man squad.
Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Germany’s usual first-choice goalkeeper, remains sidelined due to a serious knee injury.
Borussia Dortmund midfielders Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have also returned to the squad. Brandt hasn’t played for Germany since November last year, while Nmecha earned his sole international cap in March 2023 under former coach Hansi Flick.
Germany is set to host Bosnia and Herzegovina in Freiburg on November 16, followed by an away match against Hungary in Budapest on November 19.
The German team has already secured a spot in the Nations League quarterfinals, having recorded three wins and a draw so far in this campaign.
“With our early qualification for the quarterfinals, we aim to top our Nations League group, ideally with a win in front of our fans in Freiburg,” Nagelsmann said on Thursday.
In addition to Ter Stegen, Nagelsmann is missing several other key players due to injuries.
Forward Niclas Fuellkrug (West Ham), Stuttgart’s Jamie Leweling, Bayern midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic, winger Leroy Sane, Dortmund defender Waldemar Anton, and RB Leipzig’s David Raum are all unavailable.
“We have a solid squad, even though we’re adjusting in some areas due to injuries,” said Nagelsmann. “Leroy Sane is working to regain match fitness after his break, while Felix Nmecha has shown stability at Dortmund and is back alongside Julian Brandt after recent strong performances.”
According to German media reports, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner declined an invitation to join the senior team for these matches, choosing to stay with the under-21 squad. Wanner, who is currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, is eligible to represent both Austria and Germany but has yet to decide his senior international allegiance.
Germany’s Squad:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City)
Defenders: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina/ITA), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstaedt (Stuttgart), Antonio Ruediger (Real Madrid/ESP), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Fuehrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Kai Havertz (Arsenal/ENG), Tim Kleindienst (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)