Gareth Southgate to announce England squad for Euro 2020 on May 25

Gareth Southgate is set to announce his England squad for Euro 2020 on May 25: How many players he can take, friendly dates and when the group stages begin – everything to know

• Gareth Southgate is set to announce his Euro 2020 England squad on May 25 
• It comes just two days after the close of the Premier League season on May 23 
• England will play friendlies against Austria and Romania before the tournament 
• Their first group game encounter comes against Croatia on Sunday, June 13 

England manager Gareth Southgate will announce his official squad for the impending Euro 2020 championships on May 25, it has been confirmed. 

The announcement will be made just two days after the close of the Premier League campaign on May 23, with only two weeks now remaining for the players to impress.  

Southgate will be joined by his players on Saturday, May 29 in Middlesbrough, which is somewhat problematic, given that it’s the same day Chelsea and Manchester City play in the Champions League final.  

A number of players will also be tied up with the Europa League final on May 26, when Manchester United take on Villarreal.  

It means there could potentially be a number of absentees for both of England’s pre-tournament friendlies against Austria and Romania, before they officially kick-off their European Championships against Croatia on Sunday, June 13. 

With just two weeks remaining until Southgate names his squad, Sportsmail takes you through the key details.  

Gareth Southgate will announce his England squad for Euro 2020 later this month on May 25

As stated, Southgate will make his official squad announcement on Tuesday, May 25. 

The squad will be released at 1pm and will be followed by a press conference at St George’s Park, where questions will be posed to Southgate on his selection.  

England will not be the first team to announce their squad, with Russia, Ukraine and Hungary having already named their travelling parties. 

They also won’t be the last, with the 24 competing nations having until June 1 to submit their official squads, which is quite remarkable given the tournament starts on 10 days later.   

How many players can Southgate take?

Southgate will choose a 26-man squad, increased from 23 to ease with Covid-19 complications

Southgate will be afforded the luxury of an increased 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament, as opposed to the 23 we have become accustomed to. 

The decision to increase the squad sizes was made by UEFA in an effort to compensate for any potential positive coronavirus tests, which would enforce the player to self-isolate.  

Managers will have to pick three goalkeepers in their squads, each of whom can be replaced at any time throughout the tournament if they pick up an injury. 

Meanwhile, managers will also have a number of players on standby, with the ability to replace their squad members if they pick up an injury prior to their opening fixture.   

Once a player has been replaced, they cannot rejoin the squad, however.    

When are England’s pre-tournament friendlies? 

England will play two friendly matches prior to the start of the tournament, both of which will be played at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium. 

The first match comes on Wednesday, June 2, as England take on Austria.    

The second friendly, which will be the last time England play before Croatia in their opening group encounter, comes on Sunday, June 6 against Romania.  

What injury concerns do England still have? 

Southgate will have a call to make on Jordan Henderson, who has been injured since February

Jack Grealish is approaching a return having also been out with a shin injury since February 

With just a month until the start of Euro 2020, England still have a number of injury concerns that will be weighing on Southgate’s mind. 

Midfield duo Jordan Henderson and Jack Grealish have been out of action since February with respective groin and shin injuries, while West Ham general Declan Rice last played in an enthralling 3-3 draw against Arsenal in March. 

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire was forced to exit the pitch in United’s recent 3-1 win over Aston Villa with an ankle injury.     

Absentees aside, Southgate also has a number of tough calls to make, even with the increased squad available to him. 

Jesse Lingard will most likely have played his way into the squad after enjoying a terrific second half of the season while on loan at West Ham. 

Patrick Bamford also did his chances no harm with a phenomenal performance in Leeds’ 3-1 win over Tottenham last week, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Winks, Eric Dier, Tammy Abraham and Kieran Tripper all face anxious waits.  

When do the group stages start?

England lineup alongside Croatia, Czech Repulic and British rivals Scotland in Group D

England kick-off their European Championships on Sunday, June 13 with an opening group stage fixture against Croatia, who memorably came from behind to knock the Three Lions out of the 2018 World Cup in the semi-finals. 

Southgate’s side then face another rival in Scotland on Friday, June 18, in what is set to be a mouth-watering encounter. 

Finally, in England’s third and final group stage fixture – all of which will take place at Wembley –  they will play the Czech Republic on Tuesday, June 22.  

When are the finals? 

Should England progress from the group stages, they will play their round of 16 tie on either June 27, 28 or 29, depending on how they qualify. 

If they make it to the quarter-finals, England will play on either June 29, July 2 or July 3, before the semi-finals take place at Wembley on July 6 and 7.  

The final is then scheduled for July 11, once more at Wembley.

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