The UEFA Executive Committee, in agreement with the European Club Association (ECA) and the European Leagues, has decided to make up for lost fixutres in March 2020 and following the postponement of EURO 2020 by extending the international breaks in March and September 2021 in the FIFA international calendar. This will mean playing three games over the course of the break, instead of the usual two. With the approval of FIFA; this solution has also been adopted for October and November 2020.

The calendar for European national teams

22-31 March 2021: three games
31 May-8 June 2021: friendlies in preparation for the EUROs
30 August-8 September 2021: three games
4-12 October 2021: two games
8-16 November 2021: two games
21-29 March 2022: two playoffs games for European qualification

Five substitutions
The UEFA Executive Committee has also decided to allow teams to make up to five substitutions in matches in the UEFA Nations League, European playoffs, UEFA Women’s EURO qualifiers, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League from the group stage and the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the rest of the season. This measure has been introduced so as to not overload the players during 2020/21’s tighter schedule, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, the amount of players that may be included in a matchday squad will rise to 23 (if not already planned).

Procedure for defining European qualification
The procedure to be used in December 2020 to determine the qualifying matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been ratified taking into account various elements, including winter weather, travel distances, home/away order and number of teams per round.

Special measures for Euro playoffs
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, special measures pertaining to the playoffs have been approved, as they are fundamental to completing the bracket for UEFA EURO 2020. These measure are similar to those already in place for other competitions.