When is the England squad announcement for Euro 2024?
Gareth Southgate has just days left to decide the make-up of his England squad for this summer’s Euro 2024.
The impending squad announcement is sure to be giving Southgate endless sleepless nights, with the Three Lions boss facing the unenviable task of whittling down his huge embarrassment of riches and naming one final list of players.
Whilst the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are guaranteed their seat on the plane, barring injury, a whole host of places are still up for grabs.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon are amongst those hoping to force their way into the reckoning, whilst long-serving Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson will both be sweating on their place in the squad.
At home in our new home kit! 😍 🏟️
— England (@England) April 24, 2024
When is the England squad announced for Euro 2024?
The England squad announcement for Euro 2024 will take place on Tuesday, May 21.
The announcement, which will see Southgate name a larger ‘training’ squad, comes two days after the Premier League season ends, but before the finals of the FA Cup and Champions League.
England play Bosnia and Herzegovina in their penultimate Euro 2024 warm-up game at St. James’ Park on June 3.
England will return to Wembley to face Iceland on June 7, which happens to be the date that Southgate must submit his final squad to UEFA.
The Three Lions begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on June 16.
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How many players will be in the England squad for Euro 2024?
Gareth Southgate will be able to name 26 players in his final squad for Euro 2024.
UEFA had first increased the squad cap from the traditional 23 to 26 for Euro 2020 in an effort to mitigate against the effects of the pandemic.
The same approach was then adopted by FIFA for the Qatar World Cup, citing ongoing concerns over Covid and to reduce player workload given the tournament was taking place during the middle of a grueling season.
UEFA originally elected to return to the traditional 23-man cap for Euro 2024, but a string of injuries across various teams during the March international break saw the conversation brought back into the spotlight.
The matter was discussed in a meeting between UEFA and national team managers in April, with the UEFA Executive Committee confirming the increased squad size earlier this month.
An increase in the number of players allowed in each squad allows Southgate, as well as the managers of the other 23 teams, to take more of a risk with their selections, especially over the inclusion of players who are nursing injury concerns.
All 51 #EURO2024 games, from the opening match to the final, have been in huge demand. Global interest from fans wishing to attend matches at the finals in Germany has been massive.
More than 100,000 tickets went on sale on https://t.co/baZ1HPFxso today and close to a million… pic.twitter.com/Z50gBuliGM
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) May 2, 2024
Who could be included in the England squad for Euro 2024?
Gordon and Mainoo’s inclusion in the March squad means they are likely to be included in the training squad at the very least.
Calls have been growing in recent weeks to reward Eric Dier’s strong performances for Bayern Munich with a recall for Euro 2024, whilst Jarrad Branthwaite, who was included in the March squad but remained on the bench throughout, has been one of the standout defenders in the Premier League this season.
Jadon Sancho, who has not played for England since 2021, could be recalled into the squad following his fine form on loan at Borussia Dortmund.
Cole Palmer looks a certainty, whilst Eberechi Eze’s stunning end of season displays for Crystal Palace could see him sneak into the training squad.
Eze’s Crystal Palace teammate Adam Wharton could be a wildcard inclusion in the squad after his seamless transition to life in the Premier League following his move from Blackburn in January.
The race is surely up for Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Kalvin Phillips, whilst Ben White looks likely to continue with his self-imposed England exile.