Younes Ebnoutalib has been included in Jurgen Klopp’s first Germany squad, a decision that appears to have ended Morocco’s hopes of securing the Eintracht Frankfurt forward.
The 23-year-old had been courted by both countries for several months, but Klopp has selected him for his first international break in charge of the Mannschaft. The new Germany manager’s comments suggest Ebnoutalib is now firmly aligned with the national team.
Klopp announced two lists containing 44 players in total, with several new faces included. Ebnoutalib is the only recognised striker named alongside Kai Havertz.
His selection follows reports from Sky Sport Germany that he was set to receive his first Germany call-up. Klopp also said he had spoken directly to every player included in the squad.
“I spoke to all the players who are in the squad and every one of them is really excited about playing for us. They are proud to represent Germany,” he said.
Those remarks appear particularly significant in Ebnoutalib’s case. Days earlier, the forward replied “thank you” to a supporter congratulating him on his Germany call-up. He also said that “everything” about joining the Mannschaft excited him.
The choice had looked far less certain only a few months ago.
Ebnoutalib, whose father is Moroccan and mother German, represented Morocco at Under-15 level. In February, he posted a photograph of boots carrying the Moroccan flag, a gesture widely viewed as a sign that he was interested in playing for the Atlas Lions.
However, Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi did not select him for the 2026 World Cup. Ebnoutalib publicly acknowledged his disappointment, while making it clear that both countries remained an option.
Since then, his situation has changed quickly. He has scored 4 goals and supplied 2 assists in four matches for Frankfurt, performances that have attracted Klopp’s attention.
The former Liverpool manager held lengthy discussions with Ebnoutalib and was impressed by his physical strength, ability to play with his back to goal and aerial qualities. The prospect of joining a Germany side beginning a new cycle under Klopp also offered an immediate opportunity at international level.
Ouahbi had attempted to remain involved in the contest. The Morocco manager watched Ebnoutalib in Germany and spoke to him during his recent tour of Europe.
But that renewed contact appears to have come too late. Some may question whether Morocco should have acted sooner, particularly after Ouahbi selected Ebnoutalib’s team-mate Ayoube Amaimouni instead of him for the 2026 World Cup. At the time, however, the decision reflected the sporting hierarchy established by the manager.
Ebnoutalib’s rapid rise in the Bundesliga has since altered that picture, with Germany now offering him an immediate route into its senior team. Unless there is another twist, the Mannschaft appears to have won the battle for his international future.