Said El Mala Set for First Germany Call-Up Under Jurgen Klopp
Said El Mala has been told he will join Jurgen Klopp’s expanded Germany squad for the next international window, with FC Cologne still waiting for the formal notification to arrive at the club on Tuesday afternoon.
Klopp opens a route to El Mala’s Germany debut
The 20-year-old forward is now in line to become Cologne’s first Germany international since Jonas Hector in 2019. Klopp has opted for a larger group as he prepares for a packed autumn programme, and El Mala’s inclusion is an early statement from the new national-team coach.
Germany’s UEFA Nations League schedule includes matches against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia. El Mala has yet to make a senior appearance, but this selection gives him a fresh opportunity to force his way into the matchday picture.
From missed World Cup place to renewed chance
Julian Nagelsmann had already handed El Mala his first senior call-up 10 months ago, but the attacker did not make the squads for games against Luxembourg and Slovakia. He was later left out of Germany’s final 2026 World Cup group, a decision that caused frustration at Cologne.
Klopp’s arrival has altered the outlook. El Mala’s domestic output has put him back into contention, and the coming Nations League matches could deliver the breakthrough he missed under the previous regime.
- El Mala was playing in the 3. Liga for Viktoria Köln only 16 months ago.
- He scored 13 goals to help FC Cologne avoid relegation last season.
- Brighton, Brentford and Borussia Dortmund showed summer interest, but he remained in Cologne.
- The forward signed a new deal running until 2031, took Cologne’s number 10 shirt and scored against Hoffenheim on the opening day.
- After a previous unused Germany call-up, he has now been informed of his place in Klopp’s wider squad.
Cologne return is the immediate priority
El Mala is expected to start away to Hamburg on Saturday before reporting for international duty. He has recovered from a recent cold and returned as a substitute in Cologne’s 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
His form for Cologne has driven the national-team decision. The number 10 shirt he now wears was previously associated with club great Lukas Podolski, and El Mala’s next task is to carry that momentum into a demanding fixture at Hamburg.
Key takeaways
- El Mala has been informed of his Germany selection, although Cologne had not received the official paperwork by Tuesday afternoon.
- He could end a seven-year wait for a Cologne player to appear for Germany, following Hector’s 2019 involvement.
- Germany will face the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia during the Nations League window.
- Saturday’s Hamburg trip is El Mala’s final club assignment before the expected national-team link-up.
