All 48 nations finalise squads for expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup
By Joel Masibo, June 3, 2026The roster selection process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially concluded after all 48 participating nations submitted their final player lists to FIFA, confirming the 1,248 footballers who will compete in the global showpiece.
History makers
Football legends Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa are set to make history by appearing in a sixth FIFA World Cup tournament, further cementing their remarkable longevity at the highest level of the game. Meanwhile, four nations, Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, are preparing for their maiden appearances on football’s biggest stage.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. A total of 104 matches will be played before the competition concludes with the final on July 19, 2026.
Highlighting the blend of experience and emerging talent in this year’s event, FIFA noted that hundreds of players have previously featured in World Cup squads while many others will be making their debut.
“The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game,” FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Among the players selected, Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will enter the tournament as the oldest participant at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexican youngster Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at just 17 years and 240 days old.
The expanded competition will also showcase a new generation of football talent, with 22 players aged below 20 included in the final squads. At the other end of the age spectrum, seven players aged 40 and above will be involved when the tournament kicks off.
The squad announcements mark another milestone ahead of the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be the largest edition of the tournament in history.
Dominant Brazil
With eight days to go until the 2026 World Cup edition kickoff, leading the all-time winners’ chart is Brazil with five World Cup titles. The South American giants claimed their crowns in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, cementing their reputation as one of football’s greatest nations.