Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann has named uncapped duo Nick Woltemade and Tom Bischof in his 26-man squad for next month’s UEFA Nations League final four, as the national team looks to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Woltemade, a forward with VfB Stuttgart currently preparing for the German Cup final, and midfielder Bischof, recently signed by Bayern Munich, have earned surprise call-ups for Germany’s semi-final clash against Portugal on 4 June in Munich.
The selection comes in the absence of several key players. Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is not included as he recovers from recent hamstring surgery, while Jamal Musiala, Antonio Rüdiger, Tim Kleindienst, and Nico Schlotterbeck are also sidelined due to injury.
Nagelsmann, however, has been boosted by the return of several important names, including Florian Wirtz, Waldemar Anton, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Niclas Füllkrug.
“Nick (Woltemade) is a good option in attack, especially with Kleindienst unavailable,” Nagelsmann said in an interview with the German FA. “If we reach our top level, we can beat Portugal. That is our goal. We will do everything possible to reach the final. We want to play the final in Munich.”
The other semi-final will see France face Spain on 5 June, with the final set to take place in the Bavarian capital on 8 June.
Germany, four-time World Cup winners, are aiming to restore pride after consecutive group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September with an away match against Slovakia.
Nagelsmann, who took charge in September 2023 and led Germany to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on home soil, extended his contract earlier this year through to 2028. The Nations League now presents an early opportunity for silverware as the team begins shaping its identity for the next major tournament cycle.