The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to become the biggest tournament in football history, featuring a record 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As national teams begin announcing their final squads, football fans worldwide are eagerly tracking confirmed players, star inclusions, surprise selections, and major absences.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format
The 2026 edition introduces a new expanded format with:
- 48 national teams
- 12 groups
- More than 100 matches
- Expanded squad sizes of up to 26 players
The tournament officially begins in June 2026 and will be hosted jointly by:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
It will be the first FIFA World Cup hosted by three nations.
Confirmed Qualified Teams for FIFA World Cup 2026
The following nations have officially qualified for the tournament so far:
North America (CONCACAF)
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Panama
- Curaçao
South America (CONMEBOL)
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
Europe (UEFA)
- England
- France
- Spain
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Turkey
- Austria
- Norway
- Scotland
- Czech Republic
Asia (AFC)
- Japan
- South Korea
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Uzbekistan
- Jordan
- Iraq
Africa (CAF)
- Senegal
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Ghana
- South Africa
- Ivory Coast
- DR Congo
- Cape Verde
Oceania (OFC)
- New Zealand
Major Confirmed Players for FIFA World Cup 2026
Several global football stars have already been confirmed or strongly expected in official preliminary squads.
Argentina
Expected key players include:
- Lionel Messi
- Julián Álvarez
- Enzo Fernández
Argentina reportedly announced a large preliminary squad earlier this month.
France
France’s confirmed stars include:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Jules Koundé
Eduardo Camavinga reportedly missed selection due to injuries.
Brazil
Expected Brazilian stars:
- Vinícius Júnior
- Rodrygo
- Raphinha
England
England’s expected squad includes:
- Harry Kane
- Jude Bellingham
- Bukayo Saka
Portugal
Likely Portuguese stars:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernardo Silva
Belgium
Belgium’s experienced squad reportedly includes:
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Romelu Lukaku
- Thibaut Courtois
Surprise Teams and Debutants
The 2026 World Cup will feature several historic first-time qualifiers including:
- Uzbekistan
- Jordan
- Curaçao
- Cape Verde
These teams have become major stories heading into the tournament.
Big Stars Missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Several top footballers and nations will miss the tournament.
Most notably:
- Italy failed to qualify again.
- Robert Lewandowski will miss out after Poland’s elimination.
- Christian Nørgaard retired internationally after Denmark failed to qualify.
FIFA Squad Rules for 2026
According to FIFA regulations:
- Teams may initially announce 35–55 player provisional squads.
- Final squads must include 23–26 players.
- Official FIFA squad ratification deadline is June 2, 2026.
Many countries are still expected to announce final lineups over the coming days.
Teams to Watch at FIFA World Cup 2026
Top favorites entering the tournament include:
- Argentina
- France
- Brazil
- England
- Spain
- Portugal
Argentina enters as defending champions, while France, Brazil, and England remain among the strongest contenders.
Where to Follow Official Squad Announcements
Fans can track official squad confirmations through:
More final squad announcements are expected before the June deadline as coaches finalize player selections for the biggest FIFA World Cup ever held.