The UEFA Executive Committee has authorized the 24 qualified teams for Euro 2024 to compile lists ranging from 23 to 26 players, a source close to the matter revealed on Friday.
All players will be eligible to be included in the matchday squad, unlike Euro 2021, the first international competition with expanded lists due to the Covid-19 pandemic, during which three out of the 26 called-up players had to remain in the stands, the same source indicated.
This decision follows the recommendation of the UEFA Competitions Committee, chaired by the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo.
Asked by AFP before the European Confederation’s decision, French national team coach Didier Deschamps weighed the pros and cons of such a measure, while indicating he would adapt to it.
“If I take 26 players, it’s because I’ll consider it useful for the French team. Adapting is my motto. So, I’ll adapt to the decisions made and other factors. I’m not against having 24, 25, or 26 players,” explained the coach.
“Statistics show that on average, in a major competition, four players don’t play at all, and two or three play for a maximum of ten minutes. This is an average across all national teams, not just France. Increasing to 26 just to fill slots doesn’t interest me.
I won’t be clever and pick 23 players only to then find myself in difficulty because I didn’t take enough,” Deschamps added.
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