Jürgen Klopp’s first Germany squad has drawn attention from other national teams because several of its players are eligible to represent countries linked to their families. DW reports that Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi had already been monitoring Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib, who could become committed to Germany if he plays in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.
Ebnoutalib, 23, was among the players on Klopp’s 44-man selection. Ouahbi said he had spoken with the striker about Morocco’s national-team project, without making promises. If Ebnoutalib appears for Germany in the Nations League, he would be unable to play for Morocco in future, according to DW.
The report says the situation is increasingly common among Germany players who hold another citizenship through their parents. Vitaly Janelt is eligible for Czechia, while Bambasé Conté, Josha Vagnoman, Finn Dahmen, Noah Atubolu, Said El Mala and Brajan Gruda have family links to Guinea, Ivory Coast, England, Nigeria, Lebanon and Albania respectively. All were born and raised in Germany and have represented the country at youth level; Vagnoman has also made two senior appearances, although neither was in a competitive match.
Several established Germany internationals have likewise had alternatives, including Jamal Musiala, who could have represented Nigeria or England, and players with links to countries including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, the United States, Serbia and Russia. Andreas Rettig, the DFB’s managing director for sport, told DW that more than 40% of children in Germany under five have a migration background, creating a large pool of players with potential international choices.
The DFB has not always won that competition. DW cites Ibrahim Maza, born in Berlin to an Algerian father and Vietnamese mother, as having chosen Algeria, while Paul Wanner selected Austria and Can Uzun has played for Turkey. Klopp’s decision to name two squads for a break containing four matches gives selected players substantial opportunities, and the competitive fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia could commit further players to Germany.