The final countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has begun, and for every competing nation, the biggest question is no longer qualification - it is selection.

With the tournament set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, all 48 teams are preparing to lock in their squads for the biggest World Cup in history. FIFA’s expanded format will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match on June 11 and the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The squad process has already started. Some nations have released full 26-man groups, others have named wider provisional lists, and several major teams are still waiting until later in May before confirming their final selections.

How FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad Lists Work

Each country is allowed to name a final squad of between 23 and 26 players, including three goalkeepers. Before that, federations can work from wider preliminary lists of 35 to 55 players. FIFA has made clear that squads are not considered official until they are confirmed by the governing body on June 2.

That deadline gives managers only a short window to settle selection debates, monitor injuries and decide whether to trust experience or reward late-season form.

The 2026 World Cup will also introduce extra pressure in the group stage. There are 12 groups of four teams, with the top two in each group and the best eight third-placed sides advancing to the round of 32.

Confirmed Squads and Early Storylines

Bosnia and Herzegovina were among the first nations to confirm their full squad, with veteran striker Edin Džeko included for what could be his final appearance on the World Cup stage.

Sweden has also named their 26-man squad, with Graham Potter selecting a forward line led by Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.

France has confirmed their squad under Didier Deschamps, with Kylian Mbappé expected to lead Les Bleus, while Eduardo Camavinga’s omission has become one of the first major selection talking points of the tournament build-up.

New Zealand have also named their final group, with Chris Wood and Tommy Smith both included as the All Whites prepare for games against Belgium, Egypt and Iran in Group G.

Argentina, meanwhile, have started from a large preliminary list, with Lionel Messi included as the defending champions move toward what is expected to be his final World Cup campaign.

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, and the Czech Republic

Mexico World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Alex Padilla, Antonio Rodríguez, Carlos Acevedo, Carlos Moreno, Guillermo Ochoa, Raúl Rangel

Defenders: Bryan González, César Montes, Edson Álvarez, Eduardo Águila, Everardo López, Israel Reyes, Jesús Angulo, Jesús Gallardo, Jesús Gómez, Johan Vásquez, Jorge Sánchez, Julián Araujo, Luis Rey, Mateo Chávez, Ramón Juárez, Richard Ledezma, Víctor Guzmán

Midfielders: Alexei Domínguez, Alexis Gutiérrez, Álvaro Fidalgo, Brian Gutiérrez, Carlos Rodríguez, Denzell García, Diego Lainez, Efraín Álvarez, Elías Montiel, Erick Sánchez, Erik Lira, Gilberto Mora, Isaías Violante, Jeremy Márquez, Jordan Carrillo, Jorge Ruvalcaba, Kevin Castañeda, Luis Chávez, Luis Romo, Marcel Ruiz, Obed Vargas, Orbelin Pineda, Jesús Angulo

Forwards: Alexis Vega, Armando González, César Huerta, Germán Berterame, Guillermo Martínez, Julián Quiñones, Raúl Jiménez, Roberto Alvarado, Santiago Giménez

Manager: Javier Aguirre

South Africa World Cup 2026 Squad

South Africa has not yet announced their final squad.

Manager: Hugo Broos

Korea Republic World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Cho Hyeon-woo, Kim Seung-gyu, Song Bum-keun

Defenders: Kim Min-jae, Cho Yu-min, Lee Han-beom, Kim Tae-hyeon, Park Jin-seob, Lee Gi-hyuk, Lee Tae-seok, Seol Young-woo, Jens Castrop, Kim Moon-hwan

Midfielders: Yang Hyun-jun, Paik Seung-ho, Hwang In-beom, Kim Jin-gyu, Bae Jun-ho, Eom Ji-sung, Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Dong-gyeong, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in

Forwards: Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min, Cho Gue-sung

Manager: Hong Myung-bo

Czechia World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Lukáš Horníček, Martin Jedlička, Antonín Kinský, Jan Koutný, Matěj Kovář, Jakub Markovič, Jindřich Staněk

Defenders: Vladimír Coufal, David Douděra, Matěj Hadaš, Tomáš Holeš, Robin Hranáč, Štěpán Chaloupek, Václav Jemelka, David Jurásek, Ladislav Krejčí, Karel Spáčil, Adam Ševínský, Martin Vitík, Tomáš Vlček, Jaroslav Zelený, David Zima

Midfielders: Lukáš Ambroš, Michal Beran, Pavel Bucha, Lukáš Červ, Kryštof Daněk, Vladimír Darida, Patrik Hellebrand, Adam Karabec, Ondřej Kričfaluši, Tomáš Ladra, David Planka, Lukáš Provod, Matěj Ryneš, Lukáš Sadílek, Michal Sadílek, Hugo Sochůrek, Alexandr Sojka, Tomáš Souček, Pavel Šulc, Denis Višinský

Forwards: Adam Hložek, Tomáš Chorý, Mojmír Chytil, Christophe Kabongo, Jan Kliment, Jan Kuchta, Vasil Kušej, Ondřej Mihálik, Vojtěch Patrák, Václav Sejk, Patrik Schick, Matej Vydra

Manager: Miroslav Koubek

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Canada World Cup 2026 Squad

Canada has not yet announced their final squad.

Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2026 Squad - Confirmed

Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislić, Osman Hadžikadić

Defenders: Sead Kolašinac, Amar Dedić, Nihad Mujakić, Nikola Katić, Tarik Muharemović, Stjepan Radeljić, Dennis Hadžikadunić, Nidal Čelić

Midfielders: Amir Hadžiahmetović, Ivan Šunjić, Ivan Bašić, Dženis Burnić, Ermin Mahmić, Benjamin Tahirović, Amar Memić, Armin Gigović, Kerim Alajbegović, Esmir Bajraktarević

Forwards: Ermedin Demirović, Jovo Lukić, Samed Bazdar, Haris Tabakovic, Edin Džeko

Manager: Sergej Barbarez

Qatar World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Shehab Elleithy, Salah Zakaria, Meshaal Barsham, Mahmoud Abunada

Defenders: Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Sultan Al Brake, Tarek Salman, Al-Hashmi Al-Hussain, Ayoub Al-Alawi, Bassam Al-Rawi, Rayyan Al-Ali, Issa Laye, Lucas Mendes, Mohammed Waad, Niall Mason

Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber, Assim Madibo, Abdulaziz Hatem, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Mannai, Homam Al-Amin

Forwards: Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Tahsin Mohammed, Edmílson Junior, Ahmed Al-Ganehi, Ahmed Alaa, Sebastián Soria, Hassan Al-Haydos, Mubarak Shannan, Mohammed Muntari, Yusuf Abdurisag

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Switzerland World Cup 2026 Squad

Switzerland are expected to announce their squad on May 20.

Manager: Murat Yakin

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Brazil World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson, Hugo Souza, John, Weverton

Defenders: Alex Sandro, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Bremer, Carlos Augusto, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Fabrício Bruno, Gabriel Magalhães, Ibañez, Kaiki Bruno, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira, Luciano Juba, Marquinhos, Paulo Henrique, Thiago Silva, Vitinho, Vitor Reis, Wesley

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Danilo, Ederson, Fabinho, Gabriel Sara, Gerson, João Gomes, Lucas Paquetá, Matheus Pereira

Forwards: Antony, Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Igor Jesus, Igor Thiago, João Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Neymar, Pedro, Raphinha, Rayan, Richarlison, Samuel Lino, Vinícius Jr

Manager: Carlo Ancelotti

Morocco World Cup 2026 Squad

Morocco is expected to announce their squad on May 21.

Manager: Mohamed Ouahbi

Haiti World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Johny Placide, Alexandre Pierre, Josué Duverger

Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Wilguens Paugain, Duke Lacroix, Martin Expérience, Jean-Kévin Duverne, Ricardo Adé, Hannes Delcroix, Keeto Thermoncy

Midfielders: Leverton Pierre, Carl-Fred Sainte, Danley Jean Jacques, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Woodensky Pierre, Dominique Simon

Forwards: Louicius Deedson, Ruben Providence, Josué Casimir, Derrick Etienne Jr., Wilson Isidor, Duckens Nazon, Frantzdy Pierrot, Yassin Fortune, Lenny Joseph

Manager: Sébastien Migne

Scotland World Cup 2026 Squad

Scotland is expected to confirm their squad on May 19.

Manager: Steve Clarke

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

USA World Cup 2026 Squad

The United States are expected to announce their squad on May 26.

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

Paraguay World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Roberto Fernández, Orlando Gill, Gastón Olveira

Defenders: Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gómez, Júnior Alonso, Fabián Balbuena, Santiago Arzamendia, Robert Rojas, Matías Espinoza, Damián Bobadilla, Alberto Espínola, Lino Martínez, Rafael Czornij

Midfielders: Andrés Cubas, Miguel Almirón, Mathías Villasanti, Gabriel Avalos, Richard Sánchez, Diego Gómez, Néstor Giménez, Santiago Giménez, Kaku Romero Gamarra

Forwards: Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, Óscar Ruiz, Adam Bareiro, Braian Ojeda

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro

Australia World Cup 2026 Squad

Australia are expected to announce their squad on June 1.

Manager: Tony Popovic

Türkiye World Cup 2026 Squad

Türkiye have not yet announced their final squad.

Manager: Vincenzo Montella

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador

Germany World Cup 2026 Squad

Germany is expected to name their squad on May 21.

Manager: Julian Nagelsmann

Curaçao World Cup 2026 Squad

Curaçao have not yet announced their squad.

Côte d’Ivoire World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Alban Lafont

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo

Midfielders: Seko Fofana, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulaï, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jean Michaël Seri

Forwards: Simon Adingra, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Amad Diallo, Oumar Diakhité, Yann Diomandé, Evann Guessand, Nicolas Pépé, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi

Manager: Emerse Faé

Ecuador World Cup 2026 Squad

Ecuador have not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Sebastián Beccacece

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Netherlands World Cup 2026 Squad

The Netherlands are expected to announce their squad on May 25.

Manager: Ronald Koeman

Japan World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki

Defenders: Tomoya Ando, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka

Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Ayase Ueda

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Sweden World Cup 2026 Squad - Confirmed

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Jacob Widell Zetterström

Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Emil Holm, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf, Erik Smith, Carl Starfelt, Elliot Stroud, Daniel Svensson

Midfielders: Taha Ali, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, Jesper Karlström, Ken Sema, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli

Forwards: Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, Gustaf Nilsson, Benjamin Nygren

Manager: Graham Potter

Tunisia World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Sabri Ben Hassine, Mohib Al-Shamikhi

Defenders: Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Omar Rekik, Yan Valery, Ali Abdi, Moataz Nafati, Raed Sheikhawi, Adem Arous

Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Amine Ben Hamida, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, Rani Khedira, Mortadha Ben Ouanes

Forwards: Elias Achouri, Ismael Gharbi, Elyes Saad, Sebastian Tounekti, Firas Chaouat, Khalil Ayari, Hazem Mestouri, Rayan Loumi

Manager: Sabri Lamouchi

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Senne Lammens, Mike Penders

Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Maxim de Cuyper, Koni de Winter, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Meunier, Nathan Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Arthur Theate

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Nicolas Raskin, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel

Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Diego Moreira, Alexis Saelemaekers, Leandro Trossard

Manager: Rudi Garcia

Egypt World Cup 2026 Squad

Egypt are expected to announce their squad on May 29.

Manager: Hossam Hassan

Iran World Cup 2026 Squad

Iran has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Amir Ghalenoei

New Zealand World Cup 2026 Squad - Confirmed

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud

Defenders: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman

Midfielders: Lachlan Bayliss, Joe Bell, Matt Garbett, Eli Just, Callum McCowatt, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Marko Stamenic, Sarpreet Singh, Ryan Thomas

Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood

Manager: Darren Bazeley

Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Spain World Cup 2026 Squad

Spain is expected to announce their squad on May 25.

Manager: Luis de la Fuente

Cabo Verde World Cup 2026 Squad

Cabo Verde has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Bubista

Saudi Arabia World Cup 2026 Squad

Saudi Arabia has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Georgios Donis

Uruguay World Cup 2026 Squad

Uruguay have not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Marcelo Bielsa

Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

France World Cup 2026 Squad - Confirmed

Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba

Defenders: Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Koundé, Lucas Digne, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández, Théo Hernández

Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot, N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Warren Zaïre-Emery

Forwards: Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Maghnes Akliouche, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Senegal World Cup 2026 Squad

Senegal has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Pape Thiaw

Iraq World Cup 2026 Squad

Iraq have not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Graham Arnold

Norway World Cup 2026 Squad

Norway are expected to announce their squad on May 21.

Manager: Ståle Solbakken

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez, Facundo Cambeses, Santiago Beltrán

Defenders: Agustín Giay, Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Capaldo, Kevin Mac Allister, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Marcos Senesi, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Otamendi, Germán Pezzella, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, Lautaro Di Lollo, Zaid Romero, Facundo Medina, Marcos Acuña, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gabriel Rojas

Midfielders: Máximo Perrone, Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodríguez, Aníbal Moreno, Milton Delgado, Alan Varela, Ezequiel Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolás Domínguez, Emiliano Buendía, Valentín Barco

Forwards: Lionel Messi, Nicolás Paz, Franco Mastantuono, Thiago Almada, Tomás Aranda, Nicolás González, Alejandro Garnacho, Giuliano Simeone, Matías Soulé, Claudio Echeverri, Gianluca Prestianni, Santiago Castro, Lautaro Martínez, José Manuel López, Julián Álvarez, Mateo Pellegrino

Manager: Lionel Scaloni

Algeria World Cup 2026 Squad

Algeria have not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Vladimir Petkovic

Austria World Cup 2026 Squad

Austria is expected to announce their squad on May 18.

Manager: Ralf Rangnick

Jordan World Cup 2026 Squad

Jordan has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Jamal Sellami

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Portugal World Cup 2026 Squad

Portugal is expected to announce their squad on May 19.

Manager: Roberto Martínez

DR Congo World Cup 2026 Squad

DR Congo is expected to announce their squad on May 18.

Manager: Sebastien Desabre

Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 Squad - Preliminary

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Nazarov, Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev, Abduvokhid Nematov

Defenders: Ibrohimkhalil Yuldoshev, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Jakhongir Urozov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Mukhammadkodir Hamraliev, Umarbek Eshmurodov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Muhammadrasul Abdumajidov, Behruz Karimov, Diyor Ortikboev

Midfielders: Kuvondik Ruziev, Sherzod Esanov, Nodirbek Abdurazzokov, Odiljon Khamrobekov, Umarali Rakhmonaliev, Alisher Odilov, Sardorbek Rakhmonov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Jasurbek Jaloliddinov, Azizjon Ganiev

Forwards: Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Oston Urunov, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Azizbek Amonov, Khusain Norchaev, Sherzod Temirov, Igor Sergeev, Eldor Shomurodov

Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Colombia World Cup 2026 Squad

Colombia are expected to announce their squad on May 29.

Manager: Néstor Lorenzo

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England World Cup 2026 Squad

England is expected to announce their squad on May 22.

Manager: Thomas Tuchel

Croatia World Cup 2026 Squad

Croatia are expected to announce their squad on May 18.

Manager: Zlatko Dalić

Ghana World Cup 2026 Squad

Ghana have not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Carlos Queiroz

Panama World Cup 2026 Squad

Panama has not yet announced their squad.

Manager: Thomas Christiansen