UEFA Rejects English Clubs' Bid for Larger Champions League Squads

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UEFA has rejected a proposal to increase Champions League squad sizes from 25 to 28 players, citing concerns from Spanish clubs about financial disparities.

UEFA has rejected a request from English clubs to increase the size of Champions League squads to 28 players next season, following a backlash led by Spanish counterparts.

The proposal, which was discussed at a UEFA club competitions committee meeting last month, failed to gain consensus due to concerns about Premier League clubs using their financial muscle to build stronger squads.

The current 25-man squad limit has been in place for almost 20 years, and English clubs argued for an increase to reflect the competition's expansion and to protect against injury and burnout.

Spanish representatives, including Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad, pushed back against the proposal, citing concerns about Premier League clubs' financial advantages.

The decision means that the current squad regulations will remain in place for next season's Champions League, although the issue may be revisited before the 2027-28 season.