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Victor Petkov
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UEFA considers increased squads for Euro 2024
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The teams could include up to 26 players, instead of 23

UEFA is working on a plan for expanding squad sizes for the upcoming European Championship in Germany to 26 players after engaging in discussions with coaches.

Conversations with national team managers whose squads had secured qualification for Euro 2024 were convened in Dusseldorf on Monday.

“A final decision will be made in the coming weeks,” stated European football’s governing body, acknowledging the various opinions and perspectives shared during the discussions.

The topic was addressed as part of a broader two-day workshop for participating teams and will now proceed to UEFA’s national team competitions committee before reaching its executive committee.

Currently, squads are limited to 23 players, reverting to the regulations utilized prior to Euro 2020. For that tournament, an allowance of three additional players was granted to mitigate potential disruptions caused by COVID-19 outbreaks within squads.

UEFA’s statement further noted, “The positive discussions highlighted different points of view among coaches, with some expressing a desire to increase the squad size. Others stated their preference to cap the squad size at 23, citing challenges in training with additional players, managing group dynamics, and the financial strains placed on national associations.”

England manager Gareth Southgate had previously advocated for 23-man squads but recently indicated a preference for three additional players to manage a demanding conclusion to the domestic season, particularly considering the complications arising from players returning from long-term injuries.

England and Scotland are scheduled to play two friendlies at the beginning of June before the deadline to submit their final Euro squads to UEFA on 7 June.

Euro 2024 commences on 14 June, with Scotland facing hosts Germany in the opening match in Munich, while England kick off their campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on 16 June.