This year’s World Cup in Qatar will see the standard 23-man squads increasing to 26-man as FIFA have just approved the decision.
In addition, no player will be missing out as up to 15 substitutes can now be named for a game which is something that Gareth Southgate, head coach for England had been pushing for.
“If the squads are going to be bigger then it needs to be a situation where everybody is able to change on a match day,” said Southgate.
“I think everybody has to be available for all the games.”
Why have FIFA changed the rules?
FIFA stated that the decision to change the squad size was made because of a the need for additional flexibility due to the different timing of the competition which will see Senegal and The Netherlands officially kick-off the tournament on November 21 at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar.
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in the decision due to its disruptive effects on squads before and during tournaments.
During Euro 2020, only 26 players could be selected by coaches but UEFA only allowed 23 to compete on a match day. Meaning that three players would always have to sit out which was always a difficult decision said Southgate at time, as it had the potential to cause the team to lose morale in camp during a crucial tournament period.
FIFA also stated that no more than 26 people consisting of the 11 team officials, which must include the team doctor and the 15 substitutes will be allowed to sit on the bench.
World Cup squad submission deadline
All 32 countries competing in the tournament must submit their final squads by October 20 which is 30 days before the first match.
This will be the first tournament hosted in the Middle East and the first to be held in the months of November and December. A total of five cities, Lusall, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah and Doha will host the event in eight stadiums.
The next World Cup in 2026 will see the total teams increase to 48. Since France hosted the tournament in 1998, the World Cup has always featured 32 teams.