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Squads finalized for the 2026 World Cup
The squads of 48 countries have been finalized for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Messi, Ronaldo, and Ochoa will take the stage for the sixth time, with 1,248 players participating in the tournament.
As the countdown for the 2026 FIFA World Cup accelerates, the final squads of the 48 countries participating in the tournament have been announced. A total of 1,248 players will take the stage in the expanded tournament to be held in North America.
With the increase from the old 32-team format to 48 teams, the number of matches has also risen to 104. This change has significantly increased both the number of countries and the pool of players participating in the tournament.
Highlights
- 48 countries have submitted their squads to FIFA
- A total of 1,248 players will participate in the tournament
- The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada
- Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Guillermo Ochoa will appear in their sixth World Cup
- 104 matches will be played in the tournament
Experienced stars back on stage
One of the most notable headlines of the tournament is that football's three great names will meet once again on the same stage. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Guillermo Ochoa will participate in their sixth World Cup.
All three players first experienced the World Cup excitement in the 2006 tournament in Germany. With the 2026 event, they are expected to reach a new milestone in their careers.
Age distribution stands out
The age difference in the squads also shows that the tournament brings together different generations under one roof. Craig Gordon, wearing the Heart of Midlothian jersey, stands out as the oldest player in the final squads at 43 years and 162 days.
On the other hand, Gilberto Mora from Club Tijuana will be one of the youngest players in the tournament at 17 years and 240 days old. The age difference between the two players is about 26 years.
There will be 22 players under the age of 20 and seven players aged 40 and over in the tournament. Additionally, 22 players who have previously won the World Cup are also included in the squads.
Wide distribution among clubs and countries
The 1,248 players come from 449 clubs and 71 different countries. The largest share by clubs is formed by teams from 35 UEFA member countries.
Clubs from 14 countries affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation, 8 countries in South America, 7 countries in the CONCACAF region, 6 countries in Africa, and 1 country in Oceania have also sent players to the squads.
Context: The expanded format has increased not only the number of matches but also the diversity of players participating in the tournament. Therefore, the 2026 event will be both the last major test for experienced stars and the first World Cup for many young players.
Squad composition varies by country
Squad preferences vary greatly from country to country. Qatar and Saudi Arabia included 25 domestic league players in their 26-man squads.
In contrast, the squads of Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Curaçao, Senegal, and Uruguay consist entirely of players playing abroad. This shows that while some countries rely on their local leagues, others go to the tournament with players who play entirely in foreign leagues.
A new milestone for Queiroz
A coaching record will also come to the fore in the tournament. Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz will participate in the World Cup as the head coach of Ghana.
Queiroz previously coached Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018, and 2022. With Ghana, he will be on the bench for his fifth consecutive World Cup.
Thus, Queiroz will become the second coach to achieve this success after Bora Milutinovic, who served in five consecutive World Cups between 1986 and 2002.
Injuries changed the squads
Injuries continue to affect squad plans before the tournament. FIFA rules allow a player who suffers a serious injury or illness to be replaced up to 24 hours before their team's first match.
South Korea has already made a change in its squad. Defender Cho Yu-min, who suffered a partial tear in the plantar fascia of his right foot during the friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on May 31, will be out for about eight weeks.
Cho Wi-je from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors was called up to replace Cho Yu-min. This change reshaped South Korea's defense line before the World Cup.
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