Gareth Southgate reveals Euro 2024 coaches are pushing UEFA to let them pick 26-man squads amid player welfare concerns, giving fringe stars a potential lifeline

Gareth Southgate has revealed during talks next month that the size of the Euro 2024 squads could increase from 23 to 26, a move that could provide tournament lifelines for a number of players.

The head coaches of countries heading to Germany are ready for exploratory talks over the possibility of extending the cap on the number of players who can be selected for the tournament, amid a global concern over player welfare.

Traditionally, managers were allowed to select 23 players for major international competitions.

But during the postponed Euro 2020, the teams consisted of 26 men as a safety buffer for Covid restrictions.

Teams were also allowed to choose 26 players at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Southgate could put together a 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

However, it was looking increasingly likely that UEFA would return to the original 23-man rule for this summer’s European Championship.

But Southgate has revealed there is a call within the coaching community to stick with the 26-man qualification for the European Championship.

Asked whether the chances of selecting more than 23 players had disappeared, Southgate, whose plans for the recent games against Brazil and Belgium were decimated by injury-related withdrawals, said: ‘It appears that is the case.

‘There is another UEFA meeting (in two weeks) where there has been some talk among a number of coaches about a possible increase in this. Given where we are now…

“We have to make the best decisions with what we know, and some of those will be medical decisions right now. And we were able to do that well in the previous tournaments.

‘We have been able to give people time, but with 23 it is definitely more difficult.’

The news could open the door for a number of players on the fringes of Southgate’s plans to join the summer squad, with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon among others sweating on their place in the final feast.

There is a loose plan for Southgate to put together a comprehensive squad of around 30 players by the end of May, ahead of the tournament training camp at St George’s Park.

Ollie Watkins could benefit from a rise if Southgate brings three strikers instead of two

Less experienced players such as Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon would also welcome a raise

When asked about the dynamics of his expanded role, Southgate added: ‘It depends on where some of the injuries occur and also how many players are in the European finals, but my preference is always for players who have some clarity about what exactly their role is. when they come in.

‘I will probably try to at least manage expectations during that period. But it will be very difficult to be really definitive on a 23.’