FIFA Confirms 23-Player Squad Limit, May 30 Deadline For 2026 World Cup

FIFA has announced that all 48 qualified nations must submit their final 23-player squads for the 2026 World Cup by May 30.

The world governing body confirmed that the tournament will revert to the traditional squad size of 23 players, moving away from the expanded 26-player rosters that were permitted for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The decision means coaches will have to make tough choices in trimming their provisional selections ahead of the deadline.

Once the final lists are submitted, only players named in the 23-man squad will be eligible to feature in the tournament, which kicks off in June.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time three nations have jointly staged the competition. It will also be the first edition to feature 48 teams.