Netherlands to host Germany at Johan Cruijff Arena in opening UEFA Nations League game on September 24

The Netherlands will face Germany at the Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24 (BST) in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League 2026-27 campaign. The fixture brings two sides into an early-season test under newly appointed managers following both nations’ exits from the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Xavi has been appointed as the new head coach of the Netherlands after their World Cup exit, and Jurgen Klopp has taken charge of Germany, changes that the preview frames as the start of new chapters for each national team. The preview notes home advantage for the Netherlands and describes the game as a difficult opener for Germany, saying the DFB-Team must defend well and establish a strong performance in the final third. Match organisers list the Johan Cruijff Arena as the venue for the fixture.

Forward Brian Brobbey is singled out in the preview after what it describes as a top performance against Manchester City in the Premier League and consistent displays for the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026; the article adds the 24-year-old Sunderland forward can be deployed as a first-choice striker. The piece states Brobbey will be eager to help his side in the Nations League.

The preview highlights Kai Havertz’s recent form for Arsenal, stating he could be deployed as a striker for Germany and will be a constant threat to an opponent’s defence, and adds, “His ability to place himself in the required position makes him special.” The article lists Havertz among Germany’s attacking options.

The Netherlands squad named in the preview lists goalkeepers Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion), Robin Roefs (Sunderland) and Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen); defenders Denzel Dumfries (Real Madrid), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool), Lutsharel Geertruida (PSV), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathan Aké (Fenerbahçe), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur) and Jorrel Hato (Chelsea); midfielders Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Tijjani Reijnders (Al-Qadsiah), Joey Veerman (Borussia Dortmund), Quinten Timber (Crystal Palace), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Kenneth Taylor (Lazio), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) and Gjivai Zechiël (Feyenoord); and forwards Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Napoli) and Ruben van Bommel (PSV).

Germany’s squad as presented includes goalkeepers Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nübel (Besiktas) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Ajax); defenders Hannes Behrens (Augsburg), Yann Aurel Bisseck (Inter), Nathaniel Brown (FC Bayern), Max Rosenfelder (Freiburg), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (FC Bayern), Philipp Treu (Freiburg) and Josha Vagnoman (Stuttgart); midfielders Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Bambasé Conté (Hoffenheim), Yannik Engelhardt (Freiburg), Chris Führich (Stuttgart), Serge Gnabry (FC Bayern), Lennart Karl (FC Bayern), Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern), Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Schade (Brentford) and Anton Stach (Leeds United); and strikers Younes Ebnoutalib (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Kai Havertz (Arsenal).

The preview reports Donyell Malen has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad due to an injury and states that, for Germany, all of their players are fit and ready to be in action. It offers projected starting XIs as follows: Netherlands — Verbruggen (GK); Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Ake; Gravenberch, Veerman, Reijnders; Frimpong, Brobbey, Gakpo. Germany — Nübel (GK); Kimmich, Schlotterbeck, Tah, Brown; Nmecha, Amiri; Karl, Musiala, Gnabry; Havertz.

Broadcasters listed for the match in the preview are Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV for India; DAZN, DasErste, RTL+ and ZDF sportstudio for Germany; and FOX Sports, FuboTV and ViX for the USA. The preview reiterates the match will take place at the Johan Cruijff Arena on September 24 (BST).