Last Updated on 3 June 2026 by Alaa Shamali
FIFA has announced the final squads for the 2026 World Cup, with a week left before the tournament kicks off on 11 June.
It’s confirmed that 1,248 players representing 48 national teams will take part in the biggest edition in World Cup history, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Featuring 104 matches, this World Cup involves a record number of national teams and players. FIFA has said this reflects the global expansion of the game and provides an opportunity for broader representation of nations and fans.
According to FIFA’s statement, the final squads include 357 players who have previously featured in previous editions of the World Cup, alongside 891 players who will be making their debut.
The federation also highlighted the striking age diversity among the players, with Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon topping the list of the oldest participants at 43, whilst Mexico’s Gilberto Mora is the youngest at 17.
The tournament features 22 players under the age of 20, seven players over the age of 40, and the return of 22 players who have previously won the World Cup.
2026 World Cup team debuts
Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde and Curaçao will make their World Cup debuts in one of the most significant tournament’s, given the expansion to 48 teams.
For Uzbekistan, this is a historic moment as it’s their first time participating in a World Cup. Manchester City defender Abdulkadir Khusanov will lead the team, backed by a promising generation of players.
Meanwhile, the tournament features a host of rising talents with a bright future on the international stage.
Messi, Ronaldo and Ochoa set to make history
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa are all set to make their sixth appearance at the World Cup finals. This is an unprecedented achievement that reflects the enduring legacy of three of the greatest names in football history.
The squads also reveal the tournament’s truly global reach, with players representing 449 clubs from 71 different countries, underlining the World Cup’s status as football’s most inclusive sporting event.
On another note, FIFA highlighted a clear disparity in the origins of players across the national teams. Whilst Saudi Arabia and Qatar rely almost entirely on players competing in their domestic leagues, teams such as Senegal, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo rely entirely on professionals who play abroad.
Featured image via Rob Carr/ Getty Images
By Alaa Shamali
