At 23 or at 26? UEFA will announce within ten days the number of players available to the 24 countries qualified for Euro 2024 (June 14 – July 14). A workshop with representatives of the participating teams – Didier Deschamps and Guy Stephan were notably present – was held this Monday in Düsseldorf. The different protagonists were thus able to make their voices heard on this subject.
The Swiss body listened to everyone’s arguments. Some have also campaigned for the replacement of a player injured during the competition and no longer 24 hours before the first match. In the end, it was therefore decided to allow time for reflection before adopting a definitive position. For the record, this request for an expanded list was made by several selectors of teams qualified by UEFA (the Dutchman Koeman, the German Nagelsmann and the Englishman Southgate in particular).
No clear trend seems to emerge. If this request were ultimately accepted, it would not be the first time that the selectors would be authorized to constitute expanded lists.
This was already the case for Euro 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also during the last 2022 World Cup for the same reasons. At the World Cup in Qatar, all the players could even appear on the match sheet, unlike the Euro, where only 23 players could be registered. UEFA will also have to decide on this point.
For the moment, article 48 of the UEFA regulations still stipulates that the coaches must retain 23 players. Three of the team members must be goalkeepers. Didier Deschamps must communicate his list on May 16 at 8 p.m. on TF1.
The example of CAN and Asia
Such an extension would offer an additional opportunity to certain French internationals. We are thinking in particular of Disasi or Todibo among the defenders, Guendouzi in midfield and Diaby or Nkunku, if he is restored, in attack.
The deadline for sending the final list of 23 or 26 players to the European body has been set for June 7. One week before the start of the competition with the opening match between Germany and Scotland. For comparison, the Asian Football Confederation had authorized 26 players for the Asian Cup in January 2024. For the African Cup of Nations, at the start of the year, the limit was even extended to 27 players.
Other themes were also discussed this Monday during this workshop. This Tuesday, questions relating to marketing and medicine will be discussed in particular.
