World Cup squads finalized... 891 new faces
FIFA announced on Tuesday the final squads for the 2026 World Cup, featuring a record 1,248 players representing 48 countries.
The squads include players making their sixth World Cup appearance: Argentina's Lionel Messi, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa, a record number of players making their sixth appearance.
FIFA added that of the players who will participate in 104 matches, 357 have already featured in previous tournaments, while 891 players will be making their World Cup debut.
The squads also reflect a wide age range, with the oldest and youngest players separated by more than 25 years. Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon is 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexican prospect Gilberto Mora is 17 years and 240 days old. Mora is one of 22 players in the tournament under the age of 20, while seven players are at least 40 years old.
Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will all be making their World Cup debuts.
FIFA regulations stipulate that player substitutions are only permitted in cases of serious injury or illness, and must be made 24 hours before a team's first match. Any exceptions require FIFA approval.