UEFA

ENGLAND’S fringe players have been handed a huge boost ahead of this summer’s Euro 2024 competition.The Three Lions could have their squad size increased from 23 to 26 for the tournament.Gareth Southgate may have more options to choose from this summerCredit: GettyUefa are considering increasing the squad size for Euro 2024 from 23 to 26Credit: AlamyIt was expected that this summer’s Euros in Germany would see international sides reverting to the usual 23-man squad that is used for international competitions after 26-man squads were used at the last two major tournaments.The squad size was increased to 26 during Euro 2020 following concerns around the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the busy schedule.While the 2022 World Cup also adopted the increased squad sizes in Qatar.The expectation was that the 23-man squad would return this summer, but Uefa have now explained they will consider changing the rules once again for Euro 2024.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSA spokesperson for Uefa said: “A workshop with the participating teams will be held on April 8 and on that occasion Uefa will listen to the views of the coaches.”Any idea in this respect will then be considered and assessed.”A number of high-profile coaches have called for larger squads to be used in Germany including England boss Gareth Southgate, who hinted he would like the option to pick from 26 players.Southgate already called up 25 stars to represent the Three Lions for the latest International break and has pointed towards the number of drop-outs and injuries that occurred over the past two weeks as a reason for bigger squads.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking after England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, he said: “There is one more Uefa meeting where there’s been a little bit of talk amongst some of the coaches about possibly increasing that [squad size from 23 to 26].”And when probed on if he would like to see the 26-man squads, he added: “Well, given where we are now!Ian Wright slams Gareth Southgate over England decision that ‘doesn’t make sense’ after Brazil and Belgium clashes“We’ve got to make the best decisions [regarding selection] with what we know and some of those currently are going to be medical decisions.“We’ve been able to get those right in the previous tournaments. We’ve been able to give people time [to recover], but with 23 that’s definitely more difficult.”Southgate had a number of his top players withdraw from the national side for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka were forced to return to their clubs without playing a game, while Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire all picked up injuries during the two clashes.News of an extended squad will mean players who are jostling for a place on the plane this summer may be buoyed by a higher chance of representing the nation in Germany.The likes of Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney are just a few of the names that are battling amongst each other to impress Southgate before the final squad is announced.Southgate is set to name his provisional squad for Euro 2024 on May 21 and has to then confirm his final selection before midnight on June 7.England’s finge players will be buoyed by the potential changeCredit: GettyA 26-man squad could make room for another strikerCredit: AFP More

GARETH SOUTHGATE could be allowed to select an extra THREE players at Euro2024.The England boss has revealed that the squads for Germany could be increased to 26 stars from the planned 23.Gareth Southgate is desperate for Uefa to increase the Euro 2024 squad size to 26Credit: GettyAll 24 national bosses competing at Euro2024 will be at a Uefa workshop in Dusseldorf on April 8 and 9.Top of the agenda is the potential increase in squads due to the huge number of players suffering injuries across Europe.Southgate lost Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker and Sam Johnstone to injuries during the international window which saw England suffer a 1-0 defeat to Brazil and then draw 2-2 with Belgium.A bigger squad could be a huge boost for the likes of Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins and James Maddison who are all on the fringes while teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo looks certain to make the squad.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSSouthgate said: “There is one more Uefa meeting where there’s been a little bit of talk amongst some of the coaches about possibly increasing the number.”Asked if he would favour a 26-man squad, Southgate smiled and said: “Well, given where we are now. .. “We’ve got to make the best decisions with what we know and some of those currently are going to be medical decisions. “And we’ve been able to get those right in the previous tournaments. We’ve been able to give people time, but with 23 that’s definitely more difficult.”Most read in FootballNormally, major tournaments feature 23 players but due to Covid, Euro2020 and the World Cup in 2022 featured squads of 26 although Uefa decided to reduce the number for this summer’s tournament.However, even if all the managers wanted to increase the squads, they would still have to persuade Uefa to deliver the u-turn.How Jude Bellingham is key to England winning Euro 2024Southgate, who has previously claimed he preferred squads of 23 for major finals, is set to name a ‘training’ squad of up to 30 players on May 21.Although players will be given a one-week break after the Premier League season ends on May 19, some stars will be involved in European finals. The Champions League final at Wembley is on June 1.England face Bosnia and Herzegovina at Newcastle on June 3 and then play Iceland in the final warm-up game at Wembley on June 7.On June 8, the FA must confirm the official squad and the first Euro clash against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen is on June 16. More