FIFA Confirms Record 1,248 Players From 48 Nations for Upcoming World Cup

New Delhi: FIFA has confirmed a record-breaking entry into the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with final squad lists featuring 1,248 players from 48 countries who will compete in the expanded global tournament. Argentina became the reigning champions of the FIFA World Cup after winning the 2022 major tournament in Qatar.

This victory was Argentina’s third World Cup title, following previous victories in 1978 and 1986. Their victory in Qatar in 2022 ended the 36-year wait for the cup. Messi’s leadership and outstanding performances throughout the tournament have been widely recognized as key factors in Argentina’s historic success. With kick-off just days away, the latest figures underline the unprecedented scale of the competition, which will feature more teams, players and matches than previous editions of the marquee event, according to the FIFA Website.

Featuring 48 teams and 1,248 players to compete in 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States, the upcoming edition represents a major expansion of the global show, bringing together more nations, players and fans than ever before. The announced squads highlight both experience and new talent, with 357 players returning after previously being in the FIFA World Cup squad. Meanwhile, 891 players have made their World Cup debuts, underlining the continuity and mix of new faces in the tournament. The age gap between the actors is also noteworthy; It covers a period of more than 25 years between the oldest player, Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon (43 years and 162 days), and the youngest, Mexican Gilberto Mora (17 years and 240 days). The list includes 22 World Cup winners who have returned to the global stage, along with 22 players who were under 20 at the start of the competition and seven players who were 40 or over.

The expanded format also enabled a historic participation, with Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan set to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Uzbekistan’s debut is seen as a turning point, with players such as Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov symbolizing the country’s breakthrough on the world stage. The tournament will also showcase a new generation of rising stars, including France’s Warren Zaire-Emery, New Zealand’s Finn Surman and Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss. Global icons such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are also expected to take part in a record sixth World Cup appearance. Cristiano Ronaldo is considered one of the greatest strikers in football history and holds the record for the top goalscorer in men’s international football with over 140 goals in over 220 appearances for Portugal.

In terms of overall career goals (club + country), Ronaldo is also recognized as the top scorer in football history, having scored over 970 official senior career goals for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr and Portugal. With 449 clubs from 71 countries represented across the teams, the squads reflect the truly global nature of modern football. Some teams, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, consist almost entirely of domestic league players, while some teams, such as Senegal, Uruguay, Cabo Verde and Curacao, consist entirely of players from abroad. On the coaching front, Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz is set to qualify for his fifth consecutive World Cup, having previously led Portugal and Iran on multiple occasions. He became the second coach in history to take part in five consecutive tournaments after Bora Milutinovic. FIFA said the squad lists reflect the diversity, excellence and unity that define the World Cup. Substitutions will only be permitted in the event of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before the team’s opening match, unless otherwise approved by FIFA.