April 9 – UEFA is considering increasing squad sizes for this summer’s European Championship in Germany to 26 players following talks with coaches.
The meeting with the international bosses whose teams have qualified for Euro 2024 took place in Dusseldorf, which will host five games including one of the quarterfinals.
“UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared,” said a statement. “A final decision will be made in the coming weeks.”
The matter was addressed during a two-day workshop for finalists and will now proceed to UEFA’s national team competitions committee and subsequently to its executive committee for further consideration.
Currently, squads are restricted to 23 players, reverting to the regulations in place before Euro 2020. During that tournament, three additional players were permitted to offset the potential impact of Covid outbreaks within the squad.
UEFA’s statement added: “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, pointing out the difficulty in training with additional players, group management and the increased financial burdens placed upon national associations.”
The change in squad size has received mixed reception, with England boss Gareth Southgate previously opting for the original 23-man squad, but since changing his preference to the 26-man variant in order to accommodate the influx of players coming back from long-term injuries this summer.
The trend seems to be that more competitive nations are aligning in favour of the change, with Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman among those in favour of the controversial increase.
Prior to the meeting on Monday afternoon, he said: “I find it absurd that you can only select 23 players for the European Championship.
“We don’t accept this. UEFA should not be stubborn. They have to do what is best for football and the level of the European Championship. We have to lobby UEFA with several countries.
“We’re going to the end of the season. Many national teams already have so many injured players that they cannot field. There is a good chance that this will get worse in the coming months.
“If one player drops out, we will no longer be able to train eleven against eleven at the European Championship.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1713952119labto1713952119ofdlr1713952119owedi1713952119sni@g1713952119niwe.1713952119yrrah1713952119