UEFA is contemplating expanding squad sizes to 26 players for the upcoming European Championship in Germany this summer, after engaging in discussions with coaches.
Conversations with national team managers whose squads have secured qualification for Euro 2024 took place in Dusseldorf on Monday.
“A final decision will be reached in the forthcoming weeks,” stated European football’s governing body, acknowledging the diverse opinions and perspectives expressed during the deliberations.
The topic was discussed as part of an extensive two-day workshop for the finalists, and it now proceeds to UEFA’s national team competitions committee before reaching its executive committee.
Currently, squads are limited to 23 players, reverting to the regulations used prior to Euro 2020. During that tournament, an allowance was made for three additional players to mitigate potential impacts of Covid outbreaks within squads.
In its statement, UEFA noted: “The constructive discussions underscored differing perspectives among coaches, with some advocating for an increase in squad size. Conversely, others favored maintaining the squad size at 23, citing challenges in training with additional players, group management, and the heightened financial burdens on national associations.”
Previously, England manager Gareth Southgate had endorsed 23-man squads but recently expressed a preference for three extra players to manage the demanding conclusion of a domestic season “complicated” by players returning from long-term injuries.
With the FA Cup, Europa League, and Champions League finals scheduled after Southgate names his 26-man provisional squad on May 21st, many of his players are expected to be involved in those fixtures. England then faces two additional friendlies in June.