Watford have formally submitted their squad list for the 2026/27 Championship season to the EFL, confirming a 22-man senior group with three slots still available. The club's official registration includes summer signings Soumaila Coulibaly, Stephy Mavididi, and Myron Boadu while leaving room for further additions before the window closes.
The Hornets currently sit 11th in the Championship table with eight points from six games, having scored six goals and conceded seven. Their next test is a home fixture against 15th-placed Stoke City on September 12, a match you can preview on our fixtures page. The squad announcement comes amid a challenging injury situation, with six players including Kwadwo Baah, Marc Bola, and Jack Grieves currently sidelined.
Of the 22 senior players registered, 12 meet the EFL's homegrown criteria. A homegrown player is defined as one registered with any Football Association club for at least three seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday. This group is vital for meeting matchday regulations, which require seven homegrown players in a squad of 20. The quota can also be supplemented by under-21 players.
The homegrown contingent includes goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, defenders Mattie Pollock and Jordan Zemura, and midfielders Hector Kyprianou and Jeremy Ngakia. New signing Stephy Mavididi also qualifies. Two players, goalkeeper Alfie Marriott and defender James Clarridge, are further classified as 'club-developed', having been registered with Watford for a minimum of 12 months prior to the end of their Under-19 season.
Separate from the senior squad list, Watford have also registered six players on an Under 21 contract. This group includes promising talents such as forward Iker Bravo, winger Rocco Vata, and midfielder Mamadou Doumbia. Albert Eames, Othmane Maamma, and Amin Nabizada complete the list.
These players are eligible to play for the first team without occupying one of the 25 senior squad slots.
The decision to submit a list with 22 players, rather than the maximum 25, is a clear signal of intent. It leaves three vacancies open for potential new signings before the transfer deadline. One deal that remains a possibility is for experienced forward Michail Antonio, who has been training with the club since mid-August. The free agent could fill one of the gaps without requiring a transfer fee.
This strategic flexibility allows head coach Javi Gracia and the recruitment team to react to opportunities in the market or address needs that become apparent as the campaign unfolds. With the team three points behind league leaders West Ham, strengthening the group could be key to mounting a sustained promotion challenge. Fans can follow the team's position in the standings throughout the season.
The finalised squad list is now lodged with the EFL, with the next Championship match at Vicarage Road against Stoke City scheduled for September 12, 2026.
