The International Federation of Football (FIFA) will announce the official squads of the 48 teams participating in the final phase of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, June 2.
National teams competing in the tournament must submit a final list of 23 to 26 players, including at least three goalkeepers, FIFA said in a statement published on its official website.
According to the same source, a player from the final squad list may only be replaced by a player from the provisional list in the event of a serious injury or illness, no later than 24 hours before the team’s first match at the 2026 World Cup. However, a goalkeeper from the final list may be replaced at any time during the tournament by a goalkeeper from the provisional list in case of serious injury or illness.
Participating national teams must first submit a provisional list of 35 to 55 players, including at least four goalkeepers. This preliminary list will be used for internal purposes only and will not be published by FIFA.
For the record, from 1930 to 1998, final squad lists could not exceed 22 players.
At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, this number was increased to 23 players and remained unchanged until Qatar 2022, when coaches were allowed to call up to 26 players.
To ensure the timely release of players for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has set the following dates:
a) The mandatory rest, preparation and release period for players will begin on May 25, 2026, the day after their last official club match.
b) Exceptions to mandatory release will apply to players involved in the final stages of club competitions within their confederations until May 30, 2026, subject to FIFA approval.
The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
