Manchester City goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, has received his first-ever call-up to the German national team. This announcement was made by coach Julian Nagelsmann, who included Ortega in the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. Ortega, 32, will join two other goalkeepers, Alexander Nübel from Stuttgart and Oliver Baumann from Hoffenheim, as part of the 23-player team.
Germany’s top goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen from Barcelona, is currently recovering from a knee injury, leaving a gap in the starting lineup. As a result, Ortega’s inclusion provides additional support in goal. Alongside Ortega, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha have also been recalled to the squad. Brandt returns after almost a year, while Nmecha is making his return after earning his sole international cap in March 2023 under the previous coach, Hansi Flick.
Germany will face Bosnia and Herzegovina at home in Freiburg on November 16, followed by an away match against Hungary in Budapest on November 19. With three wins and one draw already secured in the group stage, Germany has clinched a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals. Nagelsmann expressed his ambitions for the final matches, stating, “After securing an early spot in the quarter-finals, we want to top our Nations League group – ideally in front of our home fans in Freiburg.”
Injuries have left several key players unavailable for these matches, including West Ham’s Niclas Füllkrug, Leroy Sané of Bayern Munich, and Dortmund’s David Raum. Despite these setbacks, Nagelsmann remains confident in his squad’s strength, adding, “We have a strong squad, even if injuries require some restructuring in certain positions.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old midfielder Paul Wanner, who is currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, has reportedly declined the call-up to remain with the German U21 team. Wanner is still considering whether to represent Austria or Germany at the senior level.
The full squad for the Nations League matches is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart), Stefan Ortega (Manchester City/ENG)
Defenders: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina/ITA), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid/ESP), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Führich (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 Mönchengladbach), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
