All teams must eventually cut their rosters to 26 players for the tournament.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images
With just one month to go until the 2026 World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, attention is turning from domestic seasons to which players will represent their countries on the biggest stage in soccer.
While most final squads remain unannounced, nations are beginning to finalize their provisional rosters, which often contain twice as many names as the tournament requirement. Here’s a breakdown of the rules governing these preliminary squads as selections trickle in.
**What is a preliminary squad?**
Ahead of the World Cup, participating countries may name a provisional release list that is significantly larger than the final tournament squad. This list can include between 35 and 55 players, with at least four of them being goalkeepers.
FIFA does not officially publish these provisional lists, but nations are free to announce them publicly. The extended squad allows head coaches to evaluate a broader pool of talent before trimming down to the required size. It also gives FIFA time to collect key details on each player—such as passport data, international caps and goals, height, and weight—well before the tournament begins.
Similar provisional lists are also used for other competitions, like the Africa Cup of Nations. For example, Nigeria named over 50 players in their preliminary squad before reducing it to 28.
**When must the final list be confirmed?**
Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first nation to announce their World Cup squad on May 11. However, lists are not considered official until FIFA confirms them on June 2, which is nine days before the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
**How many players can be in the final squad?**
The maximum squad size was increased to 26 players for the 2022 World Cup and remains at that number for 2026. The minimum is 23 players, with at least three goalkeepers required.
**Can players not on the preliminary list still be called up?**
No. Nations can only select players who appear on their preliminary list for the World Cup. Anyone omitted from that list will not participate in the tournament. Argentina announced its preliminary squad on Monday, leaving out Paulo Dybala. The 32-year-old hasn’t played internationally since September 2024, despite 40 caps and appearances at the last two World Cups, meaning his tournament hopes are over.
**Can preliminary squad players replace injured players before the World Cup?**
Yes. Replacements can be made from the preliminary squad up to 24 hours before a team’s first match. To authorize a substitution, a nation must inform FIFA, and the Medical Committee will assess whether the injury or illness is serious enough to prevent the player from competing.
**What about during the tournament?**
If a player is injured during the World Cup, they cannot be replaced in the squad.