International bosses meet in Dusseldorf to discuss increasing Euro 2024 squad sizes to 26 – as UEFA get set to make final decision

Discussions over whether UEFA will increase squad sizes for this summer’s European Championship in Germany to 26 players took place on Monday afternoon. 

The meeting with the international bosses whose teams have qualified for Euro 2024 took place in Dusseldorf, which will host five games including one of the quarterfinals.

UEFA released a short statement after the meeting claiming they had taken ‘note of the various opinions and points of view shared’ – claiming some bosses had stated the increase in squad size would cause ‘financial burden’. 

The governing body of football in Europe also said a decision over whether they will increase the squad sizes for this summer’s tournament will be made in the ‘coming weeks’. 

The issue regarding squad sizes was discussed as part of a wider two-day workshop for finalists. The decision will now go to UEFA’s national team competitions committee then its executive committee.

UEFA released a short statement after the meeting claiming they have taken ‘note of the various opinions and points of view shared’ 

The full statement released by the governing body read: ‘UEFA has taken note of the various opinions and points of view shared. 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.’ 

Holland head coach Ronald Koeman is among those in favour of the mooted increase. Prior to the meeting on Monday afternoon, he told reporters: ‘I find it absurd that you can only select 23 players for the European Championship. 

‘We don’t accept this. UEFA should not be stubborn. They have to do what is best for football and the level of the European Championship. We have to lobby UEFA with several countries.

‘We’re going to the end of the season. Many national teams already have so many injured players that they cannot field. There is a good chance that this will get worse in the coming months.

‘If one player drops out, we will no longer be able to train eleven against eleven at the European Championship.’

Holland head coach Ronald Koeman is also among those in favour of the mooted increase

Germany head coach Julian Naglesmann is also understood to be among those in favour of 26-man squads amid a feeling there is enough backing for the squad extension to be granted by UEFA, who will be guided by the coaches. 

During the delayed Euro 2020, nations were permitted to name 26 players due to the implications of strict Covid restrictions. However, managers could only select 12 substitutes, meaning three players would be left out of the squad altogether.

That dynamic proved problematic for a number of coaches, including Southgate, who feared disrupting squad morale.

Indeed, whether UEFA allow all 26 players to be included a match-day squad will be a key aspect of forthcoming talks.