As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are fast approaching, Germany have announced their squad of 18 players ready to take on the challengers in Group B. The Halfway Line provides the debrief on who Horst Hrubesch has selected to be making the journey as it all kicks off in Marseille on July 25th.

New horizons for the 2016 Olympic champions

Interim coach, Hrubesch, has selected his side to embark on their search for redemption after a disappointing trip to Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The nation did not make it out of the group stage at the last global tournament, but booked their ticket to France through their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign, finishing top of their group over Denmark by just one point. 

The nation failed to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics after they bowed out of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the quarter-finals stage. Though despite a disappointing run, prior to this, the European giants had made their mark on the contest. 

Germany won Olympic gold in 2016, having also secured bronze in 2000, 2004, and 2008. In 2024, they hope to add another medal to their previous collection as they prepare to face a tough group stage. Die Nationalelf were drawn in Group A alongside the USA, Australia, and Zambia, with the start to their campaign looking to be an immediate challenge. 

Fifth in the most recent world rankings, Hrubesch’s strong squad list includes names from five different domestic leagues (the French Division 1, the German Frauen-Bundesliga, the English Barclays Women’s Super League, the Spanish Liga F, and the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League). The selection is brimming with exciting players with plentiful experience, boasting a rotation of players from the top flight in their home nation and beyond.

The Roster

Lena Oberdorf (Bayern Munich) is a player whose performance will likely be a hot topic of discussion among fans of the Frauen-Bundesliga this summer. The defensive midfielder departs VfL Wolfsburg to join fellow frontrunners Bayern Munich, and no doubt supporters of both sides will be interested to see her contributions in Paris ahead of the big move. Dominant Alexandra Popp (VfL Wolfsburg) will once again captain the side, with Oberdorf serving as her vice in command.

Fans of the Barclays Women’s Super League can look forward to seeing Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea) back in action on the international stage. The star swapped Frankfurt for London prior to the 2023/24 season, and has consistently controlled the midfield for the Blues. At just age 23, Nüsken is an experienced and versatile force, having progressed through the age groups with Germany, and represented the nation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Despite rumours of her departure, Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt) has just signed an early contract extension with the club, with the new deal running until 2027. The forward, alongside a fellow favourite, midfielder Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), will be taking part in the competition for the very first time.

Däbritz sidelined with ankle injury

There is a crucial name missing from Hrubesch’s list. Midfielder Sara Däbritz (Olympique Lyonnais) is one of Germany’s most experienced players. The squad will make the journey to Paris without Däbritz among their ranks, as she finds herself unavailable due to an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old is a proven key player at both club and national level, and this upcoming tournament will decidedly be a test as Hrubesch’s side look to reclaim their formidable status. The attacking-minded player scored eight league goals for the Division 1 champions this season, but is frustratingly unable to accompany her national team as they venture to this year’s Summer Olympics while she recovers from her injury.

Christian Wuck to step in following Olympics

Hrubesch took on the role of interim head coach for the second time in July last year, with Martina Voss-Tecklenburg on protracted sick leave. The veteran manager’s previous stint in this particular role was in 2018, and he described this endeavour as “a matter of heart.”

Christian Wuck will become the German national team’s boss after the looming Olympic tournament. Wuck told FIFA “It makes me proud that I will shape this path after the Olympics. Until then, let’s all keep our fingers crossed for Horst and his coaching team to be successful.”

Horst’s tenure has seen him secure Germany’s qualification for the Women’s EURO 2025, and he will be eager to help the nation leave France not empty-handed, following last year’s World Cup heartbreak under Voss-Tecklenburg.

See the full 18-player Olympic squad named below.

GOALKEEPERS: Ann-Katrin Berger, Merle Frohms

DEFENDERS: Sara Doorsoun, Giulia Gwinn, Marina Hegering, Kathrin Hendrich, Sarai Linder, Bibiane Schulze Solano

MIDFIELDERS: Sydney Lohmann, Sjoeke Nüsken, Lena Oberdorf, Elisa Senss

FORWARDS: Vivien Endemann, Jule Brand, Klara Bühl, Laura Freigang, Alexandra Popp, Lea Schüller

ALTERNATES: Stina Johannes (GK), Felicitas Rauch (Def), Janina Minge (Mid), Nicole Anyomi (For)