Lisbon, Portugal — June 1, 2024 — With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over a year away, the 48 qualified national teams have officially submitted their 26-player squads, marking a historic expansion of the tournament. The lists—due by the June 1 deadline—reveal star power, tactical shifts, and the impact of injuries, suspensions, and late withdrawals. From defending champions Argentina to debutants Indonesia, here’s the definitive guide to who’s going, who’s missing, and what it means for the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, doubling the 32-team format since 1998. With matches spread across three host nations—the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—teams have until FIFA’s official qualification portal to finalize rosters, which must include three goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders, and 13 forwards. The deadline for submissions was June 1, 2024, though FIFA confirmed all squads were received by 23:59 UTC that day.
Below, we break down the squads by confederation, highlight standout inclusions and omissions, and analyze how these rosters could shape the tournament. For full lists, refer to FIFA’s official qualification hub or national football associations.
UEFA (Europe): Traditional Powerhouses and Dark Horses
Europe’s dominance in World Cup history continues with 16 spots, though the expanded field introduces new challenges. Germany, France, and England top the squad lists with depth in midfield and attack, while smaller nations like Georgia and Albania aim to punch above their weight.
Key Notes:
- France retains Kylian Mbappé (PSG) and Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid) but faces questions over Antoine Griezmann’s fitness after a prolonged injury layoff. Full squad.
- Germany includes Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) and Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) but omits injured captain Manuel Neuer, replaced by Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona). DFB’s announcement.
- Portugal confirms Cristiano Ronaldo’s retirement after the 2022 World Cup, with Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) and Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica) leading the attack. FPF’s list.
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CONMEBOL (South America): Brazil’s Star-Studded Squad vs. Argentina’s Depth
South America’s five spots are dominated by Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, with Colombia and Ecuador rounding out the group. Brazil’s squad includes Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Santos), and Endrick (Palmeiras), while Argentina’s depth—with Julián Álvarez (Manchester City) and Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)—remains unmatched.
Key Notes:
- Brazil surprises by excluding Neymar (Al-Hilal) due to a knee injury, opting for Raphinha (Barcelona) and Matheus Nunes (Bayer Leverkusen). CBF’s official list.
- Argentina includes 23-year-old Julián Álvarez as captain, with Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) anchoring the midfield. AFA’s announcement.
- Uruguay names Darwin Núñez (Liverpool) as captain, with Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) and Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus) leading the attack. UFA’s squad.
CAF (Africa): 9 Teams Compete for Glory in Historic Expansion
Africa’s nine spots mark a record for the continent, with Morocco, Senegal, and Nigeria leading the charge. However, logistical hurdles—including training camps in the U.S. (e.g., Algeria in Kansas, Egypt in Florida)—and financial constraints remain hurdles. CAF’s official statement notes that 7 of the 9 teams are debuting in the World Cup.
Key Notes:
- Morocco includes Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Amine Adli (Al-Hilal) but omits injured captain Soufiane Bounou due to a groin injury. FMF’s list.
- Senegal retains Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr) and Ismaila Sarr (Fulham) but faces questions over Boubacar Kamara’s fitness after a hamstring issue. FSF’s announcement.
- Ghana debuts in the World Cup with a squad led by Thomas Partey (Arsenal) and Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), though injuries to players like André Ayew (Crystal Palace) threaten depth. GFA’s list.
AFC & CONCACAF: Japan’s Legacy vs. USA’s Home Advantage
Asia’s four spots include Japan (defending AFC champions), South Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, while CONCACAF’s six spots feature the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (hosts). Japan’s squad includes Takumi Minamino (Monaco) and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), while the U.S. Names Christian Pulisic (Chelsea) and Weston McKennie (Juventus) as leaders.
Key Notes:
- Japan retains Hiroki Sakai (Borussia Dortmund) and Ayase Ueda (Brighton) but omits injured captain Daichi Kamada. JFA’s announcement.
- Mexico includes 19-year-old prodigy Sebastián Córdova (Real Madrid) and Rafael Cárdenas (Monterrey), though injuries to Henry Martín (Inter Miami) and Jesús Gallardo (Bayer Leverkusen) are concerns. FMF’s list.
- USA names Christian Pulisic as captain, with Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah (Chelsea) leading the midfield. USSF’s announcement.
OFC (Oceania): New Zealand’s First World Cup Appearance
Oceania’s lone spot goes to New Zealand, making their debut in the World Cup. The All Whites’ squad includes Chris Wood (Burnley) and Michael Boxall (Hull City), though experience will be tested against deeper European and South American teams.
Key Notes:
- New Zealand names Chris Wood as captain, with Ryan Thomas (Huddersfield Town) and Michael Boxall providing depth. NZF’s announcement.
Looking Ahead: Group Draw and Pre-Tournament Cup
The group draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place on December 2, 2025, in New York City, with the tournament kicking off on June 11, 2026. In the lead-up, FIFA will host the FIFA World Cup Pre-Tournament Cup (June 2025), featuring 16 teams in a warm-up event.
For fans, the next key dates are:
- June 11–July 19, 2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup (U.S., Canada, Mexico).
- December 2, 2025: Group draw in New York.
- June 2025: FIFA World Cup Pre-Tournament Cup.
Key Takeaways
- 48 teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup, the largest field in history, with Africa’s nine spots setting a record.
- Star absences include Neymar (Brazil), Neuer (Germany), and Griezmann (France) due to injuries.
- Debut nations: Indonesia (AFC), New Zealand (OFC), and Ghana (CAF) will make their World Cup debuts.
- Home advantage: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host, with local fans expected to boost morale.
- Tactical shifts: Teams like Argentina and Brazil rely on depth, while smaller nations must innovate with limited resources.
- Next steps: Group draw on December 2, 2025, and the tournament begins June 11, 2026.
FAQs
Q: How many players are on each World Cup squad?
A: Each team submits a 26-player squad, with three goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders, and 13 forwards. FIFA’s regulations specify these limits.
Q: When is the 2026 World Cup group draw?
A: The draw will take place on December 2, 2025, in New York City, with the tournament running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Q: Which teams are debuting in 2026?
A: Indonesia (AFC), New Zealand (OFC), and Ghana (CAF) will make their World Cup debuts, joining 45 returning nations.
With squads finalized, the stage is set for the 2026 World Cup. Will France’s young stars shine? Can Morocco or Japan upset the favorites? Share your predictions in the comments below, and stay tuned to World Today Journal for live updates, tactical analysis, and exclusive interviews as the tournament approaches.
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