Germany's Merz to appoint ex-footballer Nadine Keßler as sport minister

Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly preparing to bring former Germany women’s national team star Nadine Keßler into his cabinet as State Minister for Sport and Volunteering. Keßler, who currently heads UEFA’s women’s football department, would replace Christiane Schenderlein, who is being moved to the Health Ministry as a parliamentary state secretary. The government has said the replacement will be announced “promptly and swiftly,” but the appointment has not yet been formally confirmed by either Merz or UEFA. The move follows Merz’s earlier decision to dismiss Schenderlein from the sport ministry, underscoring his intent to reshape the portfolio with a high‑profile sports figure.