New Germany manager Jürgen Klopp says the national football team can promote inclusive patriotism after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt. He said he wanted to “reclaim” the German flag so national pride was associated with openness, diversity and kindness rather than extremism.

Klopp, who said he was not a political expert, noted that the AfD was also expecting strong results in elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He named 16 uncapped players in a 44-man squad for four Nations League matches against the Netherlands, Greece and Serbia, with Jamal Musiala selected after recent pre-season collapses.