Fifty days before kick-off, every squad for the 2026 World Cup has been confirmed – 48 teams, 26 players each, totalling 1,248 footballers who will descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament, the largest in history, runs from 11 June to 19 July.
Veterans dominate the headlines. Lionel Messi will represent Argentina at his sixth World Cup, while Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo sets a record with a sixth appearance – no male player has reached that mark before. Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa also makes his sixth squad. At 40, Germany’s Manuel Neuer has come out of retirement to be first-choice keeper; Croatia’s Luka Modric, also 40, is included; and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko, 40, joins the list of World Cup 40-year-olds.
“All 48 squads for the 2026 World Cup have been announced with 50 days to go.”
But age is not the only story. Spain named the injured Lamine Yamal in their 26 but left out every Real Madrid player. England will be without Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku was described as ‘out of shape’ but still made the squad. Lamine Yamal’s inclusion despite injury highlights the gamble managers are taking.
Debutants add freshness. Curaçao, the smallest nation in the tournament, named their first-ever World Cup squad. Jordan will play their first World Cup. Saudi Arabia selected only one overseas-based player – Abdulhamid. New Zealand’s squad includes Braintree’s Smith alongside Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood. Haiti’s squad features Isidor and Bellegarde.
Star power is everywhere. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé lead France; Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard head Norway; Brazil’s Neymar is included; Canada called Alphonso Davies in what they call their ‘best ever’ squad; South Korea captain Son Heung-min goes to his fourth World Cup; Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi is in despite injury.
With 50 days remaining, the stage is set. The question now is not who is going, but who will be left standing on 19 July.