Germany visit Serbia at Belgrade's Rajko Mitić Stadium on Friday, 13 November 2026, for their fifth UEFA Nations League group fixture. The German federation's press-conference summary of 12 November confirms a 20:45 CET kick-off, equivalent to 21:45 in Jerusalem, and sets out Jürgen Klopp and Florian Wirtz's preparations.
Wirtz welcomes a central position
Wirtz explained that he originally developed through central areas and is comfortable operating more centrally for the national team, while also valuing his experience on the wing. He discussed the different qualities offered by Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug and Younes Ebnoutalib. Those comments are not a confirmed starting XI: the federation's summary does not announce a final team.
Klopp described a positive training week but said Serbia's injury situation makes the opponent's precise approach difficult to anticipate. Germany want to overcome this challenge before their concluding group meeting with the Netherlands.
Serbia's coach will not be on the bench
The Serbian federation's separate conference report of 12 November confirms that Veljko Paunović is suspended and one of his assistants will handle direct touchline communication. Paunović stressed matching Germany's intensity, second-ball work and transitions after Serbia's difficulties in the earlier meeting in Munich.
The Serbian notice also restricts attendance to children under 14 in organised groups with the appropriate accompanying adults.
Florian Wirtz with Germany against Ecuador on 25 June 2026; archival, not from the Serbia fixture. Image credit: Bryan Berlin — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0.
