Key Takeaways
- Teams must pick between 23 and 26 players for their final squad.
- Coaches must submit a provisional list of 35 to 55 names by 11 May 2026.
- Injury replacements are permitted up to 24 hours before a team’s first match.
FIFA has set firm limits on squad sizes for the 2026 World Cup. Every national team must include at least 23 players in their final selection. However, they cannot pick more than 26 footballers for the tournament.
Football’s governing body did consider raising the limit above 26 for the upcoming finals. Despite these talks, they decided to maintain the same squad size used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Managers face two important deadlines when naming their groups. First, they must send a long list of between 35 and 55 players to FIFA by 11 May 2026. This provisional list stays private and serves internal purposes only. Following this, coaches must cut their selection down to the final 23 to 26 players by 30 May 2026.
Injuries can force last-minute changes. If a player gets hurt before their team’s opening game, the coach may replace them. This change must occur at least 24 hours before kick-off, and the replacement must come from the original long list of 35 to 55 names. Any player not on that initial list needs special permission from FIFA to join the squad.