FIFA Confirms 1,248 Players For 2026 World Cup As Messi, Ronaldo Eye Sixth Appearance

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed that 1,248 players from 48 countries will take part in the 2026 World Cup.

Naija News reports that the world football governing body disclosed this on Tuesday after publishing the final squad lists for the tournament, which will be staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The competition will kick off on June 11, 2026, and will feature 104 matches under the expanded 48-team format.

According to FIFA, the expanded tournament represents a major moment in the history of the World Cup, as more countries, players and fans will be represented than ever before.

FIFA said 891 players would be making their first appearance at the tournament, while 357 players would be returning after previous World Cup squad involvement.

In its statement, FIFA said, “The final squad lists for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ have been published by FIFA, representing one of the tournament’s most exciting milestones with just nine days to go until kick-off.

“With 48 teams and 1,248 players made available to take to the pitch across 104 matches in Canada, Mexico and the United States, this edition represents a watershed moment for the global game, opening the door to more nations, players and their fans than ever before.”

The global body added that the squad figures showed both continuity and renewal in world football.

It stated, “The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game.”

Messi, Ronaldo Eye Sixth Appearance

FIFA also confirmed that the tournament would feature players from different generations, with 22 players under the age of 20 and seven players aged 40 and above listed in the final squads.

The body said 22 former World Cup winners were included in the squads for the tournament.

Global stars Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa are also set to make record sixth World Cup appearances.

FIFA said, “The generational breadth is equally striking, with over 25 years separating the oldest player, Scotland’s Craig Gordon at 43 years and 162 days old, from the youngest, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora at 17 years and 240 days old.”

The presence of older and younger players, FIFA said, underlines the wide reach and competitive depth of the tournament.

The 2026 edition will also see four nations make their first appearance at the World Cup.

FIFA listed the debutants as Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

The football body described their qualification as evidence of the wider opportunities created by the expanded format.

Uzbekistan’s qualification was particularly highlighted, with rising talents such as Abdukodir Khusanov expected to feature for the country.

The inclusion of the four debutants is expected to add fresh storylines to the tournament as the World Cup enters a new phase with more teams and wider global representation.

449 Teams Represented

FIFA further disclosed that 449 teams from 71 countries are represented in the final squad lists.

The figure, according to the body, reflects the global spread of professional football talent and the diverse backgrounds of the players who will participate in the tournament.

FIFA noted that some national teams would rely heavily on home-based players, while others would draw all their players from foreign leagues.

The statement read, “The squad lists also highlight contrasting national profiles, ranging from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, whose teams are built almost entirely from domestically based players, 25 out of 26 in both cases, to others, such as Cabo Verde, Congo DR, Côte d’Ivoire, Curaçao, Senegal and Uruguay, that draw their entire squads from overseas leagues.”

The world football body said the 2026 World Cup would be a celebration of excellence, diversity and global unity through football.

It also highlighted coaches such as Ghana’s Otto Addo among those leading their countries into the tournament.

FIFA added that squad changes would only be allowed under tournament regulations.

According to the body, replacements will be permitted only in cases of serious injury or illness and must be made no later than 24 hours before a team’s first match, subject to FIFA approval.

Naija News reports that the 2026 World Cup will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, making it the largest tournament in the competition’s history.