Koeman’s call has effect: UEFA in discussions about the size of European Championship selections | Football

On Tuesday evening after the match against Germany (2-1 defeat), Koeman called it an “absurd decision” that he is only allowed to select 23 players for the European Championship. He advocates 26 players per country.

“Look at the capacity of players at the end of the season. Do you know how many countries are already struggling with many injured players? It is absurd that you are no longer allowed to select 26 players,” Koeman said.

From the 2002 World Cup, European and World Cup selections consisted of 23 players per country, but this was changed due to the corona pandemic. National coaches were allowed to select 26 players for the 2021 European Championship and the World Cup in Qatar. That is not the case for the upcoming European Championships in Germany.

UEFA confirms to NU.nl that the football association will discuss a possible expansion of the selections on April 8. “We have taken note of the comments from some national coaches about the squad size for this European Championship,” UEFA said.

“During the workshop, the participating teams (in the European Championship, ed.) will be discussed and on that occasion UEFA will listen to the opinions of the coaches. Every idea in this area will then be examined and assessed.”

Koeman stated on Tuesday evening that German national coach Julian Nagelsmann agrees with him. England national coach Gareth Southgate also called for a larger European Championship squad.

The Dutch national coach previously consulted with top football director Nigel de Jong of the KNVB about possible steps towards UEFA, which now appears to be taking action of its own accord.

“Nigel is going to see if his colleagues also think the same,” Koeman said on Tuesday. “If we do this as a small country, they are not shocked. But if there are many countries, they have to listen. I hope UEFA listens to football people and is not stubborn.”