Nations League: How do players withdraw from an international squad?

Following the news that five England players, including Declan Rice and Cole Palmer, have withdrawn from the squad due to injury, questions have been raised about the process governing these departures.

Outside of major tournaments like the World Cup or European Championships, there is no formal, standardised process for withdrawing from an international squad. BBC Sport understands that it typically relies on direct communication between the medical departments of the player's club and their national side. Medical assessments are frequently performed by both parties to determine the player's fitness status.

UEFA does not impose specific regulations on player withdrawals outside of the finals of major tournaments. Instead, any protocols remain at the discretion of individual national football associations. For the Nations League, the only requirement is that squads of 23 players, including at least three goalkeepers, are submitted by 23:59 CET on the day before a match.

In contrast, major tournaments feature strict, formalised processes. Withdrawal due to injury requires verified medical evidence that must be approved before a player can be replaced. While there are no formal processes for late additions after an initial squad announcement, major tournaments usually provide a window for changes leading up to the team's opening match, with more flexibility afforded to the goalkeeper position.