FIFA Unveils Squad Submission Timeline for 2026 World Cup

FIFA Unveils Squad Submission Timeline for 2026 World Cup

By Admin 

FIFA has confirmed that all 48 participating nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup must submit their final squad lists by June 2, the date on which the official player rosters will also be published, BSN Sports.com.ng reports.

According to FIFA, national football associations may choose to announce their squads before the deadline, but the lists will only become official after receiving approval from the world football governing body.

FIFA also confirmed that the squad structure used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will remain in place for the expanded tournament, allowing each participating nation to register up to 26 players.

The registration process will begin with a provisional phase in which countries are required to submit an internal list containing between 35 and 55 players, including a minimum of four goalkeepers. FIFA stated that these preliminary lists will remain confidential and will not be made public before May 11.

Following the provisional stage, teams must submit their final squads comprising between 23 and 26 players, with at least three goalkeepers included in each roster.

The governing body also outlined regulations concerning player replacements after the June 2 submission deadline. Outfield players may only be replaced in cases of serious injury or illness and must be substituted no later than 24 hours before a nation’s opening match of the tournament.

Goalkeepers, however, may be replaced at any point during the competition under similar medical circumstances.

FIFA further emphasised that every selected player must possess the nationality of the country they intend to represent and remain eligible under the jurisdiction of the respective member association.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams.