UEFA Set to Approve 26-Player Squads for Euro 2024 Tournament

UEFA plans to approve 26-player squads for the Euro 2024 football tournament, a change from the previous 23-player limit used at the last World Cup and European Championship. The decision was made by UEFA's national competitions committee and is expected to be ratified by the executive committee later this week.

The larger squads were also used at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament and the 2022 World Cup due to the impact of COVID-19. Several international coaches, including England's Gareth Southgate and Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, have supported the move to 26-player squads, citing the difficulty in managing injuries and player welfare with smaller squads.

Southgate, who had previously favored 23-player squads, changed his stance due to the high number of injuries in the Premier League this season. "We were able to take 26 players to the last tournament and I think that's the right number," Southgate said. "It means if we were to lose players, we would still have a reasonable number to work with."

The 26-player lineups for Euro 2024 will be announced on May 21, two days after the end of the Premier League season, with the final deadline for squad submissions set for June 7. The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 14, with hosts Germany facing Scotland in the opening match in Munich.

Why this matters: The decision to expand squad sizes for Euro 2024 has significant implications for player selection and team strategies. It provides coaches with more flexibility to manage injuries and rotate players during the demanding tournament schedule.

UEFA's approval of 26-player squads for Euro 2024 is a welcome development for national team managers, who have been dealing with a high number of injuries this season. The increased squad size will give coaches more opportunities to select players on the fringes of the squad and provide hope for those previously at risk of missing out. As the tournament approaches, teams will now have the capacity to include additional depth and choices to navigate the challenges of the European Championship.

Key Takeaways

• UEFA to approve 26-player squads for Euro 2024, up from 23 previously.
• Larger squads were also used at Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup due to COVID-19.
• Coaches support the move, citing injury management and player welfare concerns.
• 26-player lineups to be announced on May 21, with final deadline on June 7.
• Expanded squads provide coaches more flexibility in team selection and strategy.