Euro 2024 teams can add 3 players in 26

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Teams at the European Championship can name three extra players in 26-man squads after UEFA agreed to amend the tournament rules on Friday.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman and England’s Gareth Southgate were among those asking UEFA to let them select more players for the June 14-July 14 tournament and help deal with injuries in the squad.

Tournament squad sizes had long been 23 players but were increased to 26 by UEFA for Euro 2020, which was postponed and played the next year, and by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup to better deal with COVID-19 issues in the delegation.

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.