KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Team managers at the World Cup finals in November and December can take an increased squad of up to 26 players to Qatar.

The decision had been expected after the lawmaking International Board expanded substitution regulations earlier this month and because the finals are being squeezed into a tight 28-day time slot.

Expansion was decided by the FIFA Bureau comprising president Gianni Infantino and the presidents of the six regional confederations.

Formal confirmation by the FIFA Council is a given since this is now only a rubber-stamping body.

FIFA also said up to 15 substitutes can be named for a game, meaning no player misses out – something England manager Gareth Southgate had called for.

Earlier this year he said: “I think everybody has to be available for all the games. If the squads are going to be bigger then it needs to be a situation where everybody is able to change on a matchday.”

The deadline for all 32 countries competing to submit their final squads is October 20 which is 30 days before the first game between Senegal and the Netherlands.

FIFA also said that no more than 26 people – up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials, of which one must be the team doctor – will be allowed to sit on the bench.

In other decisions the bureau set March 16 next year in Kigali, Rwanda, for the next presidential election Infantino has already announced his intention to stand for re-election and is not expected to be challenge.

FIFA statement:

The 73rd FIFA Congress will be held in Kigali, Rwanda on 16 March 2023. The 2023 FIFA presidential election will take place at the 73rd FIFA Congress, the call for which was approved by the FIFA Council during its meeting on 30 March 2022.

Kigali already hosted a meeting of the FIFA Council in October 2018.

The 73rd FIFA Congress will be held in Kigali, Rwanda on 16 March 2023. The 2023 FIFA presidential election will take place at the 73rd FIFA Congress, the call for which was approved by the FIFA Council during its meeting on 30 March 2022.

Kigali already hosted a meeting of the FIFA Council in October 2018.

Amendments to the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

Given the need to retain additional flexibility due to the unique timing of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in the global calendar, as well as the broader context of the disruptive effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on squads before and during tournaments, the Bureau has decided the following:

  • The maximum number of players on the release list has been increased from 35 to 55.
  • The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26.
  • The final matchday at club level for the 23 to 26 players nominated on the final list will be 13 November 2022.
  • No more than 26 people (up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials – one of these officials must be the team doctor) will be allowed to sit on the team bench.

Equipment Regulations for FIFA competitions

Following an in-depth review of the 2015 edition of the FIFA Equipment Regulations, which considered best practices in football and selected sports industry regulations, whilst also taking into account relevant provisions of the Laws of the Game and other FIFA regulations, the Bureau has decided to apply changes for the 2022 edition. The updated Equipment Regulations are available on FIFA.com.

FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023™

In December 2020, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau decided to cancel the 2021 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup™ and appointed the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) to host the competition in 2023. Following discussions with the PSSI, as well as consultations with all confederations, the Bureau has confirmed that the tournament will be played from 20 May to 11 June 2023.

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