Netherlands and Germany begin their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaigns against each other at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on September 24.
The match also begins new managerial eras for both countries. Xavi Hernández will take charge of the Netherlands for the first time, while Jürgen Klopp makes his Germany debut.
Both teams are coming off disappointing 2026 World Cup campaigns, so this opening Group A2 fixture gives them an immediate opportunity to establish a new direction.
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Netherlands vs Germany Match Details
Competition: 2026/27 UEFA Nations League
League: League A
Group: A2
Stage: League Phase – Matchday 1
Date: September 24, 2026
Venue: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam
Netherlands coach: Xavi Hernández
Germany coach: Jürgen Klopp
Serbia and Greece complete Group A2. Each team plays six matches, with the top two progressing to the Nations League quarter-finals.
Netherlands vs Germany Head-to-Head Record
Germany hold the better overall record in this rivalry. The countries have met 48 times, with Germany winning 18 matches, the Netherlands winning 12, and 18 ending in draws.
However, I find the recent competitive meetings more useful than the historical totals. Their last six competitive encounters have produced:
Two Netherlands wins
Two Germany wins
Two draws
Their most recent meetings came in the 2024/25 Nations League. The Netherlands and Germany drew 2-2 in Amsterdam before Germany won the return fixture 1-0 in Munich. That recent record shows a much more balanced rivalry than the overall numbers suggest.
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Recent Netherlands vs Germany Meetings
Their last 10 meetings were:
Germany 1-0 Netherlands – October 2024
Netherlands 2-2 Germany – September 2024
Germany 2-1 Netherlands – March 2024
Netherlands 1-1 Germany – March 2022
Germany 2-4 Netherlands – September 2019
Netherlands 2-3 Germany – March 2019
Germany 2-2 Netherlands – November 2018
Netherlands 3-0 Germany – October 2018
Netherlands 0-0 Germany – November 2012
Netherlands 1-2 Germany – June 2012
Four of their last seven meetings have therefore ended level or been decided by a single goal. That gives a better indication of how competitive this fixture has become.
Netherlands Recent Form
The Netherlands enter the Nations League after reaching the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Their World Cup results were:
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Tunisia 1-3 Netherlands
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco – Morocco won on penalties
The Dutch were unbeaten in normal time and scored 10 goals across four games, but their tournament ended earlier than expected. Ronald Koeman subsequently left, with Xavi taking charge.
For me, the main question is not whether the Netherlands have enough quality. It is how quickly Xavi can establish his preferred style during a short international window.
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Germany Recent Form
Germany's World Cup campaign followed a similar pattern. Their results were:
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Germany 1-1 Paraguay – Paraguay won on penalties
Germany won their group but were eliminated by Paraguay in the Round of 32. That result ended Julian Nagelsmann's time as head coach and led to Klopp's appointment. Germany therefore arrive in Amsterdam with plenty of talent but also with a new tactical structure to learn.
Netherlands Team News
Xavi has selected a 26-man squad for his first international window. Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël have received their first senior call-ups, while Joey Veerman has returned to the squad. Virgil van Dijk remains involved and will provide important experience during the transition to a new coach.
There are also several significant absences. Frenkie de Jong, Xavi Simons, Matthijs de Ligt, Jerdy Schouten, Ian Maatsen and Mats Wieffer are unavailable because of injury. Memphis Depay has not been selected, while Wout Weghorst is also absent.
The midfield absences are particularly important. Without De Jong, Schouten and Simons, players such as Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Teun Koopmeiners, Joey Veerman and Quinten Timber could carry greater responsibility.
Netherlands Players to Watch
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo remains one of the Netherlands' main attacking threats. His direct running, shooting and ability to move inside from the left can cause problems for Germany's defence.
Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch could become especially important without Frenkie de Jong. His ability to carry the ball through midfield and escape pressure may be central to how the Netherlands build attacks.
Tijjani Reijnders
Reijnders offers movement, passing and a goal threat from midfield. He also scored against Germany in the 2-2 Nations League draw in Amsterdam in 2024.
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Germany Team News
Klopp has selected a 24-player group for Germany's opening matches against the Netherlands and Greece. Marc-André ter Stegen, Finn Dahmen and Alexander Nübel are the goalkeeping options, with Klopp confirming that Ter Stegen will start the opening fixture.
Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry provide experience and attacking quality. Germany have also called up several uncapped players, allowing Klopp to refresh the squad while keeping an experienced core.
One tactical decision is already clear: Klopp intends to use Kimmich in midfield rather than at full-back.
Germany Players to Watch
Jamal Musiala
Musiala may be Germany's most dangerous individual attacker. His ability to receive between the lines, dribble past defenders, and create chances can disrupt the Netherlands' defensive structure.
Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich should play an important role in controlling Germany's midfield. His passing range and positioning could also help Germany sustain pressure after losing possession.
Kai Havertz
Havertz gives Germany tactical flexibility. He can operate as the central forward but also drop deeper to link midfield and attack.
Tactical Battle: Xavi vs Klopp
The managerial matchup makes this game especially interesting. Xavi is likely to want the Netherlands to control possession, create width and play through midfield. His greatest difficulty is introducing that approach without several important midfielders.
Klopp is more likely to emphasise intensity, pressing and quick forward play. I do not expect either team to reproduce a fully developed club-style system immediately. International coaches have limited training time, particularly during their first camp. The team that executes the basic ideas more effectively may therefore have the advantage.
Where the Match Could Be Decided
Netherlands playing through Germany's press
Germany are likely to pressure the Dutch midfield aggressively. If Gravenberch, Reijnders and their teammates can play through that pressure, the Netherlands should find space further forward. Poor passes in central areas, however, could give Germany dangerous counter-attacking opportunities.
Germany defending the wide areas
The Netherlands still have dangerous wide players despite their absences. Gakpo, Jeremie Frimpong, Denzel Dumfries, Donyell Malen and Crysencio Summerville can attack space quickly. Germany will need to prevent the Dutch from regularly creating one-on-one situations on the wings.
Transitions
Both teams have players who can punish mistakes quickly. Germany can attack through Musiala, Havertz and Gnabry, while the Netherlands have pace on both flanks. That makes possession turnovers particularly important.
Statistical Edge
Germany have the stronger historical head-to-head record, but their recent competitive meetings have been evenly divided. The Netherlands also have home advantage, while Germany arrive with several important attacking players available.
The major concern for the Dutch is their list of midfield and defensive absences. For Germany, the main uncertainty is how quickly Klopp's ideas can translate to international football. Those factors make the historical H2H record less important than the current squads and tactical changes.
Final View
I see this as a difficult opening test for both teams. The Netherlands have home advantage and enough attacking quality to trouble Germany, particularly through their wide players. Their biggest challenge will be controlling midfield without Frenkie de Jong, Xavi Simons and Jerdy Schouten.
Germany have Musiala, Kimmich, Havertz and other experienced players available, but Klopp is also introducing a new system with limited preparation time. For me, midfield control and transitions are the two areas most likely to decide the game.
If the Netherlands can play through Germany's pressure and get their wide players involved, they can create good attacking opportunities. If Germany force repeated turnovers in central areas, their attackers have the quality to punish them.
With both countries beginning new managerial eras and competing for the top two places in Group A2, this should provide an early indication of how quickly Xavi and Klopp can reshape their teams.