How European squad registration rules work
We break down the criteria for Champions League, Europa League and Conference League squad lists, including 'locally trained' quotas and List A vs List B rules.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Steffen Prößdorf
Following the closure of the transfer window, clubs faced the immediate task of submitting their squads for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. UEFA mandates that teams structure their players into two distinct lists, each governed by specific regulations.
List A is the primary registration list, capped at a maximum of 25 players. This list requires a minimum of eight 'locally trained' squad members. Within this quota, no more than four can be 'association-trained' rather than 'club-trained'. Failure to meet this threshold results in a proportional reduction of the 25-man squad limit.
List B serves as a gateway for younger talent. Eligible players—those born on or after January 1, 2005, who have been with the club for a sufficient period—can be registered with no upper numerical limit, and this list can be submitted up to the day before a match.
Once the league phase concludes, clubs reaching the knockout rounds have until February 4, 2027, to register up to three new players. Specific provisions also exist for replacing injured players, with unique, more flexible rules applied to goalkeepers due to their specialized role in the squad.