UEFA has confirmed the expansion of squads from 23 to 26 players at this summer’s delayed European Championship.
The UEFA executive committee approved the rule-change on Tuesday, explaining it as a move “to guarantee the smooth running and continuity of the competition in light of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Despite the presence of additional players, matchday squads will remain limited to 23 players, while it was previously confirmed that five substitutes per team will be allowed in each fixture.
The deadline for naming squads is June 1 but teams will be able to replace players for serious injury or illness, which will include being declared a close contact of someone with the coronavirus, up until their first match of the tournament.
There is even greater leeway for the selection of goalkeepers, who will be able to be replaced throughout the tournament in the case of serious injury or illness.
The deadline for squads to be submitted is June 1
However, “to ensure the integrity of the competition”, once a player has been replaced they cannot be readmitted.
England are likely to name a provisional squad before the official deadline, with their first warm-up fixture – against Austria – scheduled for June 2, before another friendly against Romania four days later.
Gareth Southgate’s side begin their campaign against Croatia at Wembley on June 13.
Clarke: A lot to think about after expansion
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Scotland boss Steve Clarke admits he had already ‘nailed down’ 23 players for Euro 2020 before UEFA expanded squad sizes to 26.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke admitted last week that the expansion of squads for Euro 2020 has given him “a lot to think about” after he had “more or less” decided on a 23-man squad.
“I’d sort of more or less nailed down the 23 in my head, so it’s given me a lot more to think about,” Clarke told Sky Sports News.
“Obviously it will make the job when you’re there more difficult because you’re leaving players out that won’t be involved in the games, but it’s a chance for some players that might have missed out to be in the squad and to experience the whole atmosphere of a major tournament, which will be good.”
Neville and Carra name their Euro 2020 England squads
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have named their 23-man England squads for this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.
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After much debate and deliberation, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville discuss who they would include and start for England in the European Championships this summer.
Nether Carragher nor Neville have found room for Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka or Jesse Lingard in their selections.
And the pair have clashed on the shape of the squads, with Carragher selecting more defenders than Neville despite the former Manchester United full-back including Eric Dier.
Carragher and Neville were also split on whether James Ward-Prowse or Jude Bellingham should make the squad, and divided on the inclusion of Mason Greenwood.
Pick your England squad for Euro 2020
Who do you think should be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the tournament? Pick your squad and share your selection.
Jesse Lingard has been in strong form since joining West Ham on loan from Manchester United
The 12-month postponement to the tournament has given some English players a chance to impress Southgate, with the likes of Jesse Lingard, Ollie Watkins and Jude Bellingham staking a claim for a spot in the squad.
But who should make the cut?
The odds: Who makes Euro 2020 squad?
Sky Bet has refreshed its market to incorporate the 26-man squad rule change. Which players are being backed to make it? Sky Bet has also said any bets already placed on its previous 23-man squad market will stand.
England’s Euro 2020 group fixtures:
- Sunday June 13 – Group D: England vs Croatia; Kick-off 2pm (London)
- Friday, June 18 – Group D: England vs Scotland; Kick-off 8pm (London)
- Tuesday June 22 – Group D: Czech Republic vs England; Kick-off 8pm (London)
Let’