Gareth Southgate will be able to select 26 players as part of England 's squad for the World Cup in Qatar, a decision which the Three Lions boss has previously warned could have a negative effect on his team.
FIFA have confirmed that international managers will no longer be restricted to squads made up of 23 players, expanding the selection to 26. That was what UEFA did for Euro 2020 last summer amid fears that Covid-19 could whittle down teams' options mid-tournament. However, only 23 players were allowed in matchday squads, meaning that three players still missed out.
It was in the lead-up to that competition - which England reached the final of - when Southgate expressed his concerns, telling BeIN Sports : "Personally I wouldn't want to have too big of a squad. I think there's a skill in picking a 23. I think you end up with a lot of players not playing anyway and it's difficult to manage, it's hard for the squad to come through. So, I can understand it but I'm not 100 per cent sure if I'm for it."
