UEFA is considering allowing nations to name 26-man squads for Euro 2024 following talks with coaches in Dusseldorf.
Teams were permitted to list 26 players – rather than the traditional 23 – for the delayed Euro 2020 three years ago due to the risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FIFA kept the increased squad sizes in place for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, though UEFA planned to revert to 23-player parties for this summer’s tournament in Germany.
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However, numerous national team coaches have suggested the 26-player lists should be retained, with England’s Gareth Southgate and the Netherlands’ Ronald Koeman among them.
Highlighting the demands of the club season and the lengthy injury lists many coaches are currently facing, Southgate recently said a reduction in squad sizes “complicated” his plans for the Euros.
Following talks with coaches in Dusseldorf, where UEFA is holding a two-day workshop for qualified teams, the matter will be reviewed by UEFA’s national team competitions committee.
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— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) April 6, 2024
“UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared,” said a statement released by European football’s governing body on Monday.
“A final decision will be made in the coming weeks.
“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.”