UEFA has formally declared that teams participating in the upcoming Euro 2024 will have the option to register 26 players in their squads, presenting a significant advantage for England manager Gareth Southgate in light of the recent increase in injuries among his key players. This decision follows discussions between Southgate and 23 other managers involved in the competition, with UEFA subsequently granting approval for the proposed adjustment.
In a statement released on Friday evening, the European football governing body stated, “The UEFA Executive Committee has today decided to increase the maximum squad size of the teams participating in the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 from the original quota of 23 to 26 players. The increase does not represent an obligation for the participating national associations. In accordance with the competition regulations, teams must provide UEFA with a list containing a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26 by the deadline of 7 June.”
The expansion of squads to 26 players was initially implemented for the Covid-delayed European Championships in 2021 to account for the possibility of individual players needing to self-isolate during the tournament. Subsequently, FIFA opted to retain the 26-man squads for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to concerns over player welfare amid the traditional club season. Despite UEFA’s initial decision to return to squads of 23 for the upcoming Euros, pressure from managers led to a reversal of the ruling.
Following a series of injury setbacks during their March friendlies, Southgate expressed his support for the initiative, acknowledging the importance of having the flexibility to make medical decisions in team selection. The England manager affirmed that the increase to 26 players would provide more options in addressing the challenges posed by injuries, emphasizing the difficulty of managing with a smaller squad.
With the final squad submission deadline set for 11pm on June 7, just after their last warm-up friendly against Iceland at Wembley, Southgate has confirmed that he will unveil a provisional squad on May 21, following the conclusion of the Premier League season. Notably, players like Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish stand to benefit from the expanded squad, offering them greater prospects of securing a place in Southgate’s final selection following underwhelming performances at club level.
Do you agree with UEFA’s decision to allow 26-man squads for Euro 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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