Without newcomers, but with a squad that is strongly geared towards the World Cup in Qatar, the German national football team is contesting the start of the Nations League.

"The squad is the measure of all things in terms of trunk," emphasized national coach Hansi Flick, "nevertheless everyone has the chance to play their part.

The door is open."

For the duels with European champions Italy (4th and 14th June), EM finalists England (7th) and Hungary (11th) (all games at 8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the national team and on RTL) he refrained from surprises.

Compared to the March internationals, a Bayern quartet with Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry returns to the squad of 26, as expected.

Marco Reus, Karim Adeyemi, Jonas Hofmann, Lukas Klostermann and goalkeeper Oliver Baumann are also making their comeback.

Compared to the last course, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (rested), Matthias Ginter, Christian Günter, Robin Koch, Julian Draxler (injured), Florian Neuhaus and Julian Weigl are no longer considered.

Florian Wirtz (torn cruciate ligament) has to pass, EM discovery Robin Gosens was not nominated.

"I understand anyone who is disappointed," said Flick.

His nomination criteria?

"We made it very clear to the players what we expect: that they have match practice and rhythm, that they develop."

The course starts with a short training camp from Monday (until May 27th) in Marbella, to which the families of the pros are invited.

Flick sees the games as a “great opportunity to show how far we have come.

We have our sights set on the top of the world.”

Flick: Terodde "outstanding"

The national coach praised second division top scorer Simon Terodde for his outstanding goal record at newly promoted FC Schalke 04 and gave him a minimal chance of making the national soccer team and participating in the World Cup.

The 34-year-old Terodde had just described international matches for Germany as a personal dream.

"Simon Terodde is a striker who scores a lot of goals - now in the second division," said Flick.

"We will now see how it looks next season, whether he can score goals in the first division," remarked Flick cautiously.

In the end, what applies to all World Cup candidates applies to him: "If he plays at a top level - that's the Bundesliga - and performs well there and scores his goals, all doors and gates are open." Flick emphasized that it was “Outstanding how Terodde has scored goals in recent years.

He has a good rate.”

In a Sport1 interview, Terodde described games with the national team as his "big dream".

Looking towards the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, he remarked: "If Hansi Flick should really come to the decision at the end that he needs a striker for Qatar who is up front and scores goals, and then he should also think of me, then then I am of course ready.

But right now I'm not thinking too much about it."