Germany have taken a decisive step in their bid to secure Nnamdi Collins, with the Eintracht Frankfurt defender named in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for September’s World Cup qualifiers – www.isagoal.com reports.
According to allnigeriasoccer.com, the 21-year-old was included in the 23-man German squad for matches against Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
Collins’ selection signals Germany’s intent to fast-track him into the senior setup after years of involvement in their youth system.
If he features in either game, FIFA rules will tie him permanently to Die Mannschaft.
The regulations allow a player to switch allegiance only if he made fewer than three senior appearances before turning 21, a threshold Collins has already passed.
Born in Düsseldorf to Nigerian parents, Collins had long been monitored by the Nigeria Football Federation as a potential Super Eagles star.
However, his track record with Germany’s youth sides suggests he has leaned firmly toward staying with the European giants.
He was a standout at the 2025 European U21 Championship, helping Germany reach the final and earning praise for his defensive maturity.
In total, Collins has played 34 times across Germany’s youth categories, including 10 appearances for the U21s.
Germany’s strategy of securing dual-national players has worked before with Jamal Musiala, Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade, Lukas Nmecha, and Felix Nmecha.
Nigeria, however, have convinced players like Leon Balogun, Jordan Torunarigha, and Kevin Akpoguma to wear the green and white at senior level.
Collins, who developed at Borussia Dortmund before joining Frankfurt, now sits at the center of another high-profile battle between the two football federations.