How Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford can still be called up by England for Euro 2024

The likes of Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford could still head to Euro 2024 with England, despite missing out on Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad. The pair were big-name omissions alongside Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and James Maddison, but may yet play a part in Germany.

Southgate made headlines by opting against picking underperforming players who have been mainstays for their national teams in the past.

“We’re blessed with options in attacking areas, all offering something slightly different,” Southgate said as he explained snubbing Maddison and Grealish. “Madders (Maddison) and Jack give us something different as well, so they’re tough calls.

“We’ve gone over it and over it as staff to try and be fair. We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. Both boys are big characters and great to work with.”

And the snubbed stars could still have roles to play as the Three Lions eye glory in Germany. Liverpool centre-back Jarrell Quansah is the only player named on Southgate’s standby list, but tournament rules state that more stars can be called up if injuries or illness occur.

According to Article 48 of UEFA’s official tournament regulations, players can be replaced if they “become seriously injured or ill”.

That would require a team doctor or a UEFA Medical Committee member to confirm that the issue is “sufficiently serious to prevent them from taking part” in Euro 2024.

But if a player is deemed sufficiently injured or ill enough to cause them to leave the national squad, a replacement such as Grealish or Rashford could be called up yet.

The Manchester United and City stars have both been enjoying their holidays, with Rashford in Cannes and Grealish in Dubai to enjoy a likely summer of rest, unless injury opens up a spot in the England camp.

They would not be the only players to have to cut their break short in order to step in at the Euros, after Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee traded Disneyland Florida for the Holland squad.

The Arsenal and Manchester United summer transfer target was just starting his vacation in the US when he received a surprise call from Ronald Koeman, asking to join the camp after injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners.

“I suddenly received a call,” Zirkzee explained on the eve of the tournament. “And I just had to pack my stuff as quickly as possible and come.”

Zirkzee had a big smile on his face as he left ‘The Happiest Place On Earth’ and England’s cut stars such as Grealish and Rashford could have the same reaction, should they find themselves back in Southgate’s plans this summer.