Germany and Switzerland allowed up to 11 substitutions in Friday friendly | OneFootball

The German Football Association has confirmed that a new FIFA rule will be applied in Friday’s friendly between Germany and Switzerland, allowing coaches to make up to 11 substitutions.

At the end of February, it was decided to increase the number of substitutions in official international friendlies from six to eight. However, if both teams agree, that limit can be extended to 11 – provided changes are made within three designated substitution windows plus halftime.

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has indicated he intends to use the full quota on Friday to test different players ahead of the World Cup – a request the DFB has approved. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, however, is less enthusiastic.

“The request came from Switzerland. We agreed to it,” Nagelsmann said at a press conference on Thursday.

“I’m not a big fan of it. I assume we won’t make 11 substitutions,” he added, stressing his desire to “build cohesion” rather than experiment extensively ahead of the World Cup.

At the tournament this summer, standard competitive match rules will apply, allowing up to five substitutions, with a sixth permitted in extra time.

Nagelsmann has called up 25 players, including potential debutant Lennart Karl.