Netherlands and Germany Open Nations League with Xavi and Klopp Making Their Bench Debuts

Rarely does the opening match of a group stage generate as much buzz as this one. On Thursday, September 24, the Johan Cruyff Arena opens its doors for the kind of clash that gets circled on the calendar the moment the fixture list drops: the Netherlands hosts Germany in Matchday 1 of Group A2 in the 2026/2027 UEFA Nations League.

For fans following from South America, kickoff is set for 3:45 PM in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, and 1:45 PM in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. The match will be broadcast on the Disney+ Premium plan, exclusively for the South American region.

A Group Full of Big Names

Group A2 doesn't hold back: alongside Serbia and Greece, the Netherlands and Germany are the two powerhouses lighting the fuse. And both arrive with extra motivation, since neither side had a World Cup to remember. Both national teams were sent home in the round of 32 at the World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, so this Nations League opener comes at just the right time to start putting that disappointment behind them with a win.

On the Dutch side, all eyes are on Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, the group that usually makes the difference when the team needs a goal or some defensive steel. On the German side, watch for Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nico Schlotterbeck and Joshua Kimmich, the usual suspects when someone needs to step up.

How Both Teams Arrive

The Netherlands has a new name on the bench: Xavi Hernandez is now the head coach. He takes over after another World Cup blow, as the Dutch had finished first and unbeaten in their group (Group F), only to draw 1-1 with Morocco in the round of 32 and get knocked out on penalties.

Germany, meanwhile, is going through a new era under Jurgen Klopp. At the World Cup, the Germans opened with two wins but then fell to Ecuador. Even so, they topped Group E. Elimination came in the round of 32, in a 1-1 draw with Paraguay that once again came down to the penalty shootout lottery.

So what does the recent head-to-head history say? The last time these two teams met was on October 14, 2024, also in the Nations League, with Germany winning at home 1-0 on a goal from Jamie Leweling. Now, with new coaches in charge and the weight of two recent World Cup exits behind them, both national teams have extra reason to come out chasing the win right from the opening whistle.