UEFA confirms 26-man squads for Euro 2024

UEFA has confirmed that nations would be allowed 26-man squads for the European Championship in Germany this summer. The governing body’s executive committee confirmed the increase on May 3 after the national competitions committee voted in favour of the change in April.

National teams had been preparing to return to 23-man squads for the tournament after being allowed expanded groups at Euro 2020 to help cope with the knock-on impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 2022 World Cup also featured 26-man squads due to it taking place in the winter. The issue was discussed by coaches at a workshop for finalists last month before the proposal was put to UEFA’s national team competitions committee and then its executive committee. UEFA has now confirmed its decision to stick with the increased squad sizes this summer.

In Euro 2020, teams were allowed 26-man squads due to the impact of Covid-19 but UEFA initially planned to revert to the 23-man squads at Euro 2024.

The expansion in number of players was permitted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because the competition was held in the middle of the domestic season.

Participating nations do not have to name an extended squad but are required to submit a list of at least 23 players to UEFA by June 7 ahead of the Champions League.

Formerly, several international managers were critical of the reduction in the number of players for the tournament with the Netherlands’ manager, Ronald Koeman calling the move, “absurd”. England’s manager Gareth Southgate had previously been in favour of the 23-man squad proposal however, the tall injury list from the premier league altered his choice. The manager is set to name his squad on May 21.

Euro 2024 I begins on June 14 with Scotland taking on the hosts Germany in the opening game.

Source: www.bbc.com , www.qna.org.qa ,