Martinez supports the idea of increasing the squad numbers

Italy coach Roberto Mancini, given the Coronavirus pandemic state, flagged the idea that it would be better to increase the squad sizes from 23 to 26. Martinez confirmed last night that he agrees with the idea after an 8-0 win over Belarus in the World Cup qualifiers.

"

I support the Royal Belgian Football Association completely in the idea of increasing the squad numbers,

" Martinez said.

"I think it's something that's needed. It would match the changes that've been made in the current situation in world football, with the five substitutions, the uncertainty of the pandemic attack and the extra level of injuries, I think it would be a good thing to do."

The Euros will be held in 12 cities in 12 countries,  with Belgium's group playing in Copenhagen and St Petersburg. Mancini and Martinez were among the coaches who criticized the UEFA calendar, saying that given the current situation, this type of tournament could lead to player injuries.

"

I think we've got a bigger picture now international football is not what it used to be

," Martinez said.

"They only had one big tournament around the corner. Now the Euros were delayed, in the next 18 months we're going to be participating in the qualifiers for the World Cup. You've got the World Cup at the end of it and you've got the Nations League final.

"There's many, many players who'll be needed over the next 18 months and everything is a process."

Belgium are one of the most expected teams in the upcoming Euros and many believe they can lift the trophy, with Martinez saying he was narrowing in on his final squad for the tournament.

"

The information of this camp will be essential for the final list for the Euros,

" the former Everton and Swansea City boss said. "

Everything is taken into consideration

.

"When you go to tournament football, it's very, very different. We think that tournament football, you've got two tournaments in one tournament. First you've got the group phase, the three games, and then the knockout.

"We need to have players for both tournaments. It's a mixture. I'm willing to do it like we did in the World Cup 2018, making sure we take every individual to fit a good balance in the squad and pick the best members for the best squad possible."

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