The road to FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially underway after FIFA confirmed the final squad lists for all 48 participating nations, with just nine days remaining until the tournament kicks off across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
A record 1,248 players have been selected to compete in the expanded tournament, which will feature 104 matches and marks the largest FIFA World Cup in history. The new format opens the door for more nations, players and supporters than ever before, making it a landmark moment for global football.
The confirmed squad lists showcase a fascinating mix of established stars and emerging talent.
A total of 357 players return after previously being named in a FIFA World Cup squad, while 891 players are set to experience football's biggest stage for the first time.
The age range across the tournament is equally remarkable. Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon enters the competition as the oldest player at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora is the youngest at just 17 years and 240 days old.
Overall, 22 players aged under 20 and seven players aged 40 or older could feature during the tournament, while 22 former FIFA World Cup winners are back to compete for football's ultimate prize.
Several football icons are preparing to make history in North America.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are all set to feature in their sixth FIFA World Cup, extending their remarkable legacies on the international stage.
The tournament will also shine a spotlight on a new generation of stars, including France midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, New Zealand defender Finn Surman and Morocco playmaker Bilal El Khannouss.
The expanded format has created opportunities for several nations to reach the World Cup for the first time.
Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will all make their historic tournament debuts, highlighting the growing global reach of the competition.
Among the most compelling stories is Uzbekistan's maiden appearance at a FIFA World Cup. The nation arrives with high hopes, led by exciting young talents such as Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who has become a symbol of the country's footballing progress.
The squad selections reflect the increasingly international nature of modern football.
Players have been called up from 449 clubs across 71 countries, underlining the worldwide appeal and influence of the sport.
UEFA clubs account for the largest share of representation with 35 countries featured, while clubs from AFC (14), CONMEBOL (eight), CAF (six), Concacaf (seven) and OFC (one) are also represented.
National team profiles vary significantly. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have selected squads built almost entirely from domestic leagues, with 25 of their 26 players playing at home. In contrast, nations such as Cabo Verde, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Curaçao, Senegal and Uruguay have selected squads made up entirely of players based abroad.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz is set to reach another significant landmark.
The Portuguese manager will appear at his fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup, having previously led Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Only legendary coach Bora Milutinović, who appeared at five straight tournaments between 1986 and 2002, has achieved the feat before.
While squad lists have now been officially submitted, FIFA regulations allow teams to replace players in cases of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before their first match, unless otherwise approved by FIFA.
With the countdown now in single digits, the stage is set for a historic FIFA World Cup 2026 that promises to combine football's biggest stars, emerging talents and debut nations in the most inclusive tournament the sport has ever seen.
