FIFA Confirms All 48 World Cup Squads

A record 1,248 players from 48 nations are now officially set for football's biggest tournament across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

With just days to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA has officially confirmed the final squads for all 48 participating nations, marking another major milestone ahead of the biggest World Cup in history.

The expanded tournament will feature 1,248 players representing 48 countries across 104 matches in Canada, Mexico and the United States. FIFA reports that 891 players will be making their World Cup debut, while 357 players have previous World Cup experience.

Among the biggest names heading to North America are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa, all of whom are preparing for a historic sixth World Cup appearance.

FIFA also highlighted the tournament's growing global reach, with debutants such as Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaçao and Cape Verde making their first-ever appearances on football's biggest stage.

First Match of the Tournament

The opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will see hosts Mexico take on South Africa in Group A on 11 June at 15:00 (ET).

Full List of Participating Countries

Group A

• Mexico

• South Africa

• South Korea

• Czechia

Group B

• Canada

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Qatar

• Switzerland

Group C

• Brazil

• Morocco

• Haiti

• Scotland

Group D

• United States

• Paraguay

• Australia

• Türkiye

Group E

• Germany

• Curaçao

• Ivory Coast

• Ecuador

Group F

• Netherlands

• Japan

• Sweden

• Tunisia

Group G

• Belgium

• Egypt

• Iran

• New Zealand

Group H

• Spain

• Cape Verde

• Saudi Arabia

• Uruguay

Group I

• France

• Senegal

• Iraq

• Norway

Group J

• Argentina

• Algeria

• Austria

• Jordan

Group K

• Portugal

• DR Congo

• Uzbekistan

• Colombia

Group L

• England

• Croatia

• Ghana

• Panama

A Truly Global Tournament

FIFA says the final squad lists showcase the worldwide appeal of the game, with players coming from 449 clubs across 71 countries. The tournament will also feature a mix of established stars, World Cup winners, emerging talents and nations making their historic debuts.

For football fans, the wait is nearly over. The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on June 11, when Mexico and South Africa take to the pitch for the tournament's opening match.