UEFA set to approve 26-player squads for Euro 2024

UEFA is set to stick with 26-man squads for this summer’s Euros in Germany.

The PA news agency understands the national teams competitions committee voted to increase squad size from 23 to 26.

UEFA allowed teams to name 26 players each for the first time at Euro 2020, to help them cope with Covid-19 infections and to manage player welfare after the pandemic led to a condensed 2020-21 season.

UEFA’s ruling executive committee could rubberstamp the proposal this week, PA understands.

Keeping squads at 26 players received the backing of national team coaches at a pre-tournament workshop earlier this month.

At the end of that workshop UEFA released a statement which read: “The positive discussions highlighted different points of view among coaches, with some expressing a desire to increase the squad size, with more choice available, the threat of injuries and the intense physical demands placed upon players.

“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.

“UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared, with a final decision to be made in the coming weeks.”

Euro 2024 gets under way on June 14 when hosts Germany face Steve Clarke’s Scotland in Munich.