NYON, Switzerland – UEFA has agreed to increase squad sizes from 23 to 26 players for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, European football’s governing body said.
International managers had voiced concerns when a return to the pre-Covid-19 23-player limit had been confirmed by UEFA, after it was increased to 26 for Euro 2020 and World Cup 2022.
“The UEFA Executive Committee has today decided to increase the maximum squad size of the teams participating in the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 from the original quota of 23 to 26 players,” a UEFA statement said.
Participating countries have until June 7 to provide UEFA with a squad list containing a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26.
The larger squads will stay for the 24 teams at post-pandemic Euro 2024 in Germany.
“The increase does not represent an obligation for the participating national associations,” UEFA said in a statement.
Adding up to 72 extra places on the collective tournament roster should lower the daily rate UEFA pays to clubs for releasing their players to national team duty at Euro 2024.
UEFA agreed with the European Club Association to set aside 140 million euros ($150 million) from total tournament revenue of more than 2 billion euros ($2.16 billion) to distribute among clubs whose players are selected for the finals tournament.
A further 100 million euros ($108 million) was allocated to clubs whose players were selected for Euro 2024 qualifying games and Nations League games.
After Euro 2020, Chelsea got the largest payment of 5.1 million euros ($5.5 million) from a UEFA club benefits total fund of 200 million euros ($216 million).