Assembling a final squad for the FIFA World Cup™ is always a challenge. The coaching staff of the qualified nations work endlessly over the preceding weeks and months to select the best group of players to help their team perform at the highest level.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026™, 26 players will be permitted in each squad, the same number as Qatar 2022. Read on for a breakdown of everything you need to know about the World Cup 2026 squad lists.
When are the World Cup squads announced?
FIFA plans to announce the 26-player official squad lists for the 48 competing teams on Tuesday, 2 June
How many players are allowed per squad?
Preliminary list: Participating associations first provide FIFA with a squad of between 35 and 55 players, four of whom must be goalkeepers. This provisional list will only be used for internal purposes and will not be published by FIFA.
Final list: Associations provide FIFA with a final squad of between 23 and 26 players (at least three of whom must be goalkeepers).
Exceptions: A player in the final squad may only be replaced by a player from the provisional squad in the event of a serious injury or illness, no later than 24 hours before their team’s first match at World Cup 2026.
A goalkeeper in the final squad may be replaced by another goalkeeper from the provisional squad in the event of a serious injury or illness at any time during the tournament.
National teams are permitted to announce their squads at any time, however they are not considered official until confirmed by FIFA on 2 June.
The history of World Cup squad lists
From 1930 through to 1998, teams were allowed 22 players on their final rosters. At Korea/Japan 2002, that number was increased to 23 players and remained so until Qatar 2022 when the roster size was expanded to 26 players.
To ensure the timely release of players for World Cup 2026, FIFA will set aside dates as follows:
a) The rest, preparation and mandatory release period for players for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin on 25 May 2026, the day after their last official match with their clubs.
b) Exceptions to the mandatory release will apply to players participating in the finals of their confederation’s club competitions up to and including 30 May 2026, subject to FIFA’s approval.
