News (engl.)

The Germany U21 national team will play their final two UEFA U21 EURO 2027 qualifiers of the year in November. Antonio Di Salvo’s side host Malta at the Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer in Fürth on Friday, 14th November (18:00 CET), before travelling to the Black Sea to face Georgia in Tbilisi on Tuesday, 18th November (18:00 CET). The head coach has now announced his squad for the two matches.

Six players are back in the fold: goalkeeper Mio Backhaus (Werder Bremen), defenders Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Finn Jeltsch (VfB Stuttgart), Joshua Quarshie (Southampton FC) and Aaron Zehnter (VfL Wolfsburg), plus midfielder Aljoscha Kemlein (1. FC Union Berlin) have all returned to fitness and are back in contention.

“The aim for these last two qualifiers of the year is crystal clear – we want to win both matches and take six points,” said Di Salvo. “I’m pleased we can call on a number of players in defence again who were recently sidelined. That will help us establish the defensive stability we need. I’m also happy to reward Lennart Karl and Arijon Ibrahimovic for their strong performances in recent weeks with a call-up.”

Alongside Karl (FC Bayern München) and Ibrahimovic (1. FC Heidenheim), Anton Kade (FC Augsburg) could also make his U21 debut. The midfielder was included in September’s training camp but had to withdraw early due to injury.

Senior call-up for El Mala

Hendry Blank (Hannover 96), Linus Gechter (Hertha BSC) and Brajan Gruda (Brighton & Hove Albion) miss out through injury, while Said El Mala has been named in the senior Germany squad. “I’m delighted for Said that he’s been given a chance to impress with the senior team,” said Di Salvo. “It’s the right moment for him to gain that experience and use it for his future development.”

The coach is also clear about the expectations: “We’re favourites against Malta at home and want to put in a strong performance to build confidence going into the game in Georgia. Tbilisi will be a real test – we’re expecting a motivated and talented side. Georgia have emerged as an ambitious footballing nation in recent years, delivering impressive results both in EURO qualifiers and major tournaments at U21 and senior level. Their fans will get behind them with real passion – and we’ll prepare our team for that. We want to play with desire and determination, but also with joy and freedom, so we can head into the winter break with another three points.”

The 2027 UEFA U21 EURO will be held in Albania and Serbia. Germany are in qualifying Group F alongside Latvia, Georgia, Greece, Northern Ireland and Malta. After three matches, Germany sit second with six points – behind leaders Greece (nine) and ahead of Georgia (five). The nine group winners and the best runner-up will qualify automatically, alongside the two host nations. The eight remaining runners-up will take part in play-offs to determine the final four spots at the tournament.