By Kwame Bediako
FIFA has released the final squad lists for the 2026 World Cup, confirming the 1,248 players set to represent the 48 nations in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The publication marks a major milestone with just days to go before the tournament begins.
The expanded competition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, with 891 players making their World Cup debut and 357 having previously been named in World Cup squads. The mix of veterans and newcomers underlines both the scale and freshness of the tournament.
Among the standout stories is the return of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who are all set for a record sixth World Cup appearance. At the other end of the spectrum, Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the oldest player in the field at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s Gilberto Mora is the youngest at 17 years and 240 days.
The expanded format has also opened the door for first-time participants Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, all of whom will make their World Cup debuts. Uzbekistan’s qualification is especially notable, with Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov expected to be one of the team’s leading figures.
The squads reflect football’s global spread, with players drawn from 449 clubs across 71 countries. Some teams, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, rely heavily on domestic-based players, while others such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Uruguay, Cabo Verde, Curaçao and DR Congo have selected squads made entirely of players based abroad.
For Ghana, head coach Carlos Queiroz is set for a remarkable personal milestone, becoming only the second manager after Bora Milutinović to appear at five consecutive World Cups. FIFA has also clarified that squad changes will only be allowed in cases of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s opening match, unless special approval is granted.
