FIFA has announced the final squad lists for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, marking a significant milestone with only nine days remaining until the tournament begins. Featuring 48 teams and 1,248 players competing across 104 matches in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this edition signifies a historic moment for international football, expanding participation to more nations, players, and supporters than ever before.
The confirmed squad lists demonstrate the tournament’s significant scope and lasting appeal, with 357 players returning after prior participation in at least one FIFA World Cup™. Approximately 891 players are participating for the first time, reflecting both stability and new opportunities within the global game.
The range of players’ ages is notable, spanning over 25 years between the oldest participant (Scotland’s Craig Gordon, aged 43 years and 162 days) and the youngest (Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, aged 17 years and 240 days). At the outset of the tournament, there are 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or older expected to participate. Additionally, 22 FIFA World Cup winners are returning to the competition.
In addition to the return of established stars to the world’s premier football competition, this tournament introduces a new wave of players and nations gaining international recognition. Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are scheduled to participate in the FIFA World Cup for the first time, demonstrating how the expanded format is enhancing the tournament’s representation of the global game.
One notable development is Uzbekistan’s historic debut on the international stage, highlighted by emerging talents such as Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov, who is inspiring fans back home. Other promising young players include France’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, New Zealand’s Finn Surman, and Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss, among many others. Additionally, veteran athletes such as Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa are preparing to participate in their sixth FIFA World Cup, a record-breaking achievement.
The confirmed lists demonstrate the international scope of contemporary football, featuring 449 clubs from 71 countries. This includes 14 clubs from the AFC region, six from CAF, seven from CONCACAF, eight from CONMEBOL, one from the OFC, and 35 from UEFA. The squad selections also showcase diverse national profiles, ranging from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, whose teams are composed predominantly of domestic players (25 out of 26 players in each case), to others such as Cabo Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao, Senegal, and Uruguay, which assemble their squads entirely from players based in overseas leagues.
Regarding the individuals responsible for selecting the team rosters, Ghana’s Portuguese head coach, Carlos Queiroz, is participating in his fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup. He previously led Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018, and 2022. He is only the second coach to compete in five consecutive tournaments, following Bora Milutinović, who achieved this from 1986 to 2002.
The confirmed squad lists represent the essence of what makes the tournament truly special—a celebration of excellence, diversity, and global unity through football.
Photos/FIFA