GAR BLIMEY
England set for Euro 2024 boost with Southgate expected to have rule change request granted despite rivals’ objections
It comes after Gareth Southgate changed his mind on the previous rule
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GARETH Southgate is set to be able to pick a 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
But Uefa chiefs remain split on changing tournament rules at virtually the last minute.
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And now a final decision will be made by the ruling executive committee in the next few days.
Euro chiefs had planned on reverting to 23 man parties for the tournament which kicks off in Munich in June.
But pressure from a number of national team coaches saw the matter put back on the agenda earlier this month.
And now Uefa’s national competitions committee has “narrowly” backed the proposal to revert to the extended squads that were allowed at both the delayed Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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The extended squads were introduced as a response to the Covid pandemic, with national coaches fearful that an outbreak of the virus could leave them short of numbers for matches.
Uefa had decided to return the traditional smaller squads for this summer’s event.
But a number of national coaches had urged a rethink, citing the sheer number of injuries sustained by players this season.
Opposition to the move has been by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and France's Didier Deschamps.
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Despite that, Uefa chiefs agreed a u-turn on the initial ruling although the lack of unanimity means it is not certain to be adopted by the executive committee - who will make the final call in video conference in the next few days.
If they agree, it means Southgate and the other Euro 2024 coaches will have more options in their squad selection.
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While Southgate has long been a proponent of smaller squads, he was without skipper Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and other players for last month’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
The England boss was not leading the call for larger squads but is understood to feel that it was not a problem if he was allowed to select 26 instead of 23.
Southgate will want the confirmation that all 15 players not selected in his starting side will be able to sit on the bench, as happened in Qatar.
During Euro 2020, by contrast, three players had to be omitted from the match-day squad.
Southgate has been planning to select a larger provisional squad next month before whittling down to 23 on the June 7 deadline.
But the change in regulations, if confirmed, may see the England boss instead name a 26 with some standby players, giving everybody more certainty.
If the extension is approved , it is likely that the larger squads will now become the norm for Uefa national competitions - although Fifa may revert to 23 for the 2026 World Cup.