Amsterdam hosts the opening note of a new UEFA Nations League cycle on Thursday, with the Netherlands and Germany placing fresh managers on the touchline after World Cup exits that ended in penalty-shootout disappointment. Xavi begins his first international post with the Dutch, while Jürgen Klopp takes charge of Germany for the first time at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The 2026/27 Nations League meeting is scheduled for 15:45 Brasília time on 24 September. Both countries arrive with familiar cores but altered leadership following losses in the World Cup second round: the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco, while Paraguay sent Germany out on penalties.
Van Dijk persuaded to continue
Ronald Koeman’s departure after the Dutch elimination created the vacancy filled by Xavi, who has broadly retained the group that travelled to the World Cup. One crucial decision concerned captain Virgil van Dijk, who considered ending his international career before speaking with the new coach.
The Netherlands’ most experienced player said Xavi needed only a brief exchange to change his mind. “It was a very good conversation and ten seconds were enough for me to decide to carry on,” Van Dijk said. “Xavi told me, ‘You are Virgil van Dijk.’ That was enough.”
Van Dijk is expected to anchor a defence also featuring Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven. Ryan Gravenberch, Teun Koopmeiners and Tijjani Reijnders are in line to form the midfield, with Cody Gakpo among the attackers.
Klopp begins German rebuild
Klopp and Xavi bring extensive club resumes but no previous experience as senior national-team coaches. The German used the occasion to joke that his Liverpool years gave him a head start on the opposition, having worked with Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo at Anfield.
“I know more Netherlands players than Xavi does,” Klopp said with a smile. “I do not know whether that is an advantage, but it is true. The positive thing is that we are both in the same situation: we go straight into a competitive tournament rather than starting with a friendly.”
Germany’s new era includes Marc-André ter Stegen taking over as first-choice goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer retired from international football. Lennart Karl, absent from the World Cup through injury, has returned to the squad.
Klopp has called up 12 uncapped players as part of the reset. Freiburg defender Philipp Treu is among those likely to receive an opportunity in Amsterdam, and is tipped to start at right-back.
Likely teams in Amsterdam
| Netherlands | Germany |
|---|---|
| Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Koopmeiners, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Summerville, Brobbey, Gakpo. | Ter Stegen; Treu, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Brown; Kimmich, Nmecha; Karl, Musiala, Schade; Havertz. |
| Coach: Xavi Hernández | Coach: Jürgen Klopp |
The match will be played at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with ESPN and Disney+ carrying coverage in Brazil.
