Nagelsmann names Germany Nations League Finals squad

The notion of free choice can be an elusive ideal for national football coaches, and Germany's Julian Nagelsmann may be feeling that reality more than ever ahead of the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final Four.

Germany will face 2019 Nations League champion Portugal in the semifinal on June 4 in Munich, but the buildup has been marred by a string of absences.

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, Arsenal's Kai Havertz and Gladbach's Tim Kleindienst are all sidelined.

There is some positive news with the return of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.

New call-ups Tim Bischof (Hoffenheim) and Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart) join returning players Serge Gnabry (Bayern), Robin Gosens (Fiorentina) and West Ham striker Niklas Fullkrug.

Spain and France will meet in the second semifinal in Stuttgart.

"Portugal is a strong side, and we will have to invest everything to proceed to the final. That's our desire, to go all in and reach the final," Nagelsmann said.

The coach emphasized the importance of considering the health and long-term readiness of players. "They must be in the best shape when entering the upcoming season," the 37-year-old said.

Bayern had requested that Musiala be given a rest ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and Nagelsmann agreed. Whether players like Gnabry, Gosens, Waldemar Anton (Dortmund) and Robert Andrich (Leverkusen) are pleased with their recalls remains to be seen.

Ter Stegen and Fullkrug are among the biggest surprises, having recently returned from long injury layoffs. Rudiger, meanwhile, is preparing for the Club World Cup after recovering from his own injury.

"Mark is our undisputed No. 1. He lately played two games for his club, and Hansi Flick told me he is back to a top level," Nagelsmann said.

The German squad will assemble on May 30 in Herzogenaurach at the facilities of their sponsor, Adidas.

The semifinal winners will meet in the final on June 8 in Munich, while the losers face off the same day in Stuttgart.

Woltemade is expected to join the UEFA Under-21 Championship in Slovakia from June 11-28 after the Final Four, while Bischof has signed with Bayern through 2029.

Woltemade's current focus, however, remains on Germany's senior squad. "But we wanted him around after several losses upfront," the coach stated.

Nagelsmann pointed to Spain's recent success as validation of the Nations League's importance. Spain won the 2023 Nations League before going on to claim the Euro 2024 title.

Spain's achievement has become a model for other European teams, the German coach said.