In recent discussions surrounding the European Championship, there has been a growing push from national team coaches to increase squad sizes from the traditional 23 players to 26. The idea behind this proposed change stems from the increasing number of injuries that players are facing in modern football. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, in particular, has been vocal about the need for larger squads to accommodate the demands of the game.
UEFA, the organising body of the European Championship, has announced that they will be open to listening to the views of national team coaches regarding squad size. This decision comes after increased 26-man squads were permitted at Euro 2020 and FIFA’s 2022 World Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for Euro 2024, UEFA had initially decided on reverting back to the 23-player squads.
Koeman highlighted the challenges faced by players in terms of their load-carrying ability, particularly in light of the schedule demands and risk of injuries. Other coaches, such as England’s Gareth Southgate, have also acknowledged the benefits of having a larger squad in mitigating the risk of selecting injured players.
It remains unclear how many of the 24 coaches competing in Euro 2024 are in favor of larger squad sizes. While the idea of having more players available for selection seems appealing, there are concerns about the impact on team dynamics and the potential lack of game time for certain squad members. With Euro 2024 set to take place in 10 German cities from June 14 to July 14, the debate over squad size continues to be a topic of interest among football fans and stakeholders.
By engaging in open dialogue with coaches and considering the implications of squad size on player welfare and team performance, UEFA is demonstrating a willingness to adapt to the evolving needs of the sport. As the discussions progress, it will be interesting to see how the issue of squad size unfolds and whether any changes will be implemented for future European Championships.