FIFA World Cup 2026 final squads have officially been confirmed, marking a major milestone ahead of the biggest football tournament in history. A total of 48 national teams will compete in the expanded event, featuring 1,248 players from around the globe.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This edition will be the first FIFA World Cup to include 48 participating nations, creating a larger and more competitive global football spectacle.
All qualified teams have finalized their 26-player rosters, bringing the total player count to 1,248. FIFA’s expanded format has significantly increased participation and has set a new record for the highest number of players involved in a World Cup tournament.
Among the selected players, 357 have previous FIFA World Cup experience, while 891 footballers are preparing to make their debut on football’s biggest stage. The mix of experienced stars and emerging talents is expected to add excitement throughout the competition.
Global icons Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Guillermo Ochoa are set to make history by appearing in their sixth FIFA World Cup. Their participation highlights an extraordinary level of longevity and consistency at the highest level of international football.
Four nations—Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan—have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Their inclusion reflects football’s growing global reach and provides new opportunities for emerging football nations to compete on the world stage.
The tournament also showcases a remarkable age range among participants. The youngest player selected is 17 years old, while the oldest is 43. Additionally, seven players aged over 40 and 22 players under the age of 20 will feature in the event, emphasizing the blend of youth and experience that defines FIFA World Cup 2026.
