Rabat – Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp is considering Eintracht Frankfurt striker Younes Ebnoutalib and Schalke midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi for his first national-team squad, potentially creating fresh competition with Morocco over the two dual-national players.
According to Sky Germany, both players feature in the expanded pool being assessed by Klopp and his staff ahead of the upcoming international window. Klopp previously said around 57 outfield players were in his wider consideration as he begins rebuilding Germany following their early exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Ebnoutalib and El-Faouzi appear among several potential new faces being monitored before Klopp confirms his selections.
The DFB has scheduled Klopp’s squad announcement for September 17, when the former Liverpool manager will hold his first nomination press conference since taking charge of Germany.
Germany will play four Nations League fixtures during the window, beginning away to the Netherlands on September 24 before facing Greece, Serbia and Greece again.
Two players also eligible for Morocco
Ebnoutalib’s international future has already attracted attention.
The Frankfurt-born striker represented Morocco at U15 level but remains eligible for Germany. In July, he openly acknowledged that both national teams remained options following his omission from Morocco’s 2026 World Cup squad.
“The national team is definitely a goal. I’m open to playing for both nations,” Ebnoutalib told Hessenschau, adding that he would “100 percent” answer if Klopp called him.
The 23-year-old has strengthened his case with a productive start to the Bundesliga season, recording three goals and one assist in three appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt.
El-Faouzi’s situation carries a stronger recent Morocco connection. The Schalke midfielder, who holds both German and Moroccan nationality, joined a Morocco training camp in May after being included in the wider group considered before the World Cup, but he did not make the final tournament squad.
Schalke officially lists the 24-year-old as a German-Moroccan midfielder, while Bundesliga records show he has featured in all three of the club’s league matches this season.
Neither player has been officially selected by Germany yet, and Klopp’s final decision will only become clear when he announces his squad on Thursday.
Their presence in Germany’s wider plans, however, adds another dimension to Morocco’s efforts to retain and recruit dual-national talent, particularly with both players still having potential international pathways with the Atlas Lions.
