The FIFA has confirmed the final squad lists for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, revealing that 1,248 players from 48 countries will compete in what is set to be the largest edition of the tournament in history.
The global football showpiece, scheduled to begin on June 11 across the Canada, Mexico and the United States, will feature an expanded 48-team format and a record 104 matches.
FIFA said the final squad announcements mark a major milestone ahead of kick-off, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the tournament and the increased opportunities created by the expansion.
Among the 1,248 players selected, 891 will be appearing at the World Cup for the first time, while 357 players return after previous participation in football’s biggest competition.
According to FIFA, the figures reflect a blend of experience and emerging talent, with established stars sharing the stage with a new generation of players eager to make their mark on the global scene.
The tournament is also expected to showcase a remarkable age range. Twenty-two players under the age of 20 have been included in the final squads, while seven players aged 40 and above will also take part.
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FIFA noted that 22 former World Cup winners remain active and have earned places in their national teams, while legendary figures such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa are on course to make a record sixth World Cup appearance.
The governing body highlighted the tournament’s generational diversity, with more than 25 years separating the oldest player, Craig Gordon, and the youngest participant, Gilberto Mora.
Another major talking point is the debut of four nations on football’s biggest stage. Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will all participate in the World Cup for the first time, a development FIFA says underlines the benefits of the expanded competition format.
The world football body also revealed that players from 449 clubs across 71 countries are represented in the tournament, illustrating the increasingly global nature of the sport.
While some nations, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have squads largely made up of domestic-based players, others such as Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Uruguay will rely entirely on footballers playing abroad.
FIFA described the 2026 tournament as a celebration of football’s diversity, growth and global appeal, with millions of fans expected to follow the competition across three host nations.
Under tournament regulations, changes to final squads will only be permitted in cases of serious injury or illness and must receive FIFA approval before a team’s opening match.