Only 18 players? DFB defends itself against the requirement

With the win against the Netherlands, Germany qualified for the Olympics. But only 18 players are allowed to go to Paris. The DFB wants to change that.

After qualifying for the Olympics, the German soccer players have to prepare for a tough fight for the squad places for Paris. While 23 players were allowed at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, there are only 18 at the summer games (July 26 to August 11), including two goalkeepers. The German Football Association is defending itself against this with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the DFB confirmed to the dpa.

A corresponding letter has been written together with other European nations. “Bild” first reported about it. However, the DFB’s prospects are assessed as low, as there are also reduced team sizes at the Olympics in other sports. Twelve nations are taking part in the Olympic women’s football tournament.

In addition to Germany, the world champions from Spain, the USA, Canada, Brazil and Colombia, among others, qualified.

The German players can be recommended for the Olympic squad of national coach Horst Hrubesch in the qualification for the European Championship 2025, which will be played in three double match days between the beginning of April and mid-July. Even before the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, when the DFB women won gold, the then national coach Silvia Neid had complained about the 18-man squad and nominated four players on call.

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