Teams to be allowed to select 26 players in Euro 2020 squads

Teams will be allowed to select a squad of 26 players rather than the usual 23 at this summer's Euro 2020 championships.

The change has been implemented to lessen the load on players after a club season compressed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s also been introduced to assist and lessen the risk of selection issues if an outbreak occured during the tournament.

The decision, taken by UEFA's national teams committee in April, was approved by UEFA's executive committee on Tuesday.

In a statement, it said the rules were approved "in order to guarantee the smooth running and continuity of the competition in light of the Covid-19 pandemic".

A rule allowing each team to make up to five substitutes per game had already been confirmed.

However, 23 players will remain the maximum number permitted on team sheets for matches.