World Cup 2026 squad deadlines: Key dates, team lists, final announcements

With less than five weeks to go until the FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, football fans are counting down the days to the announcement of squads for the 48 participating nations. Whether it’s supporters of national teams or neutral football enthusiasts, they will be eager to find out which of their favourite players, the biggest international stars or surprise additions will make the final cut. The expanded 48-team tournament is being cohosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, who open the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca on June 11.

What are the key dates for squad announcements before the World Cup? May 11: Preliminary squad list National teams must submit a preliminary list by May 11, with a minimum of 35 players and no more than 55 players, including four goalkeepers. A maximum of 75 team officials, including the coach, team doctor and team manager, can be named in the provisional release list as well.

The longlist serves as the official pool of eligible players for the tournament, and FIFA requires that any replacement due to injury before the tournament must come from this list. Injury has already ruled out several players from the tournament, such as Brazil’s Rodrygo and Eder Militao. Others, like Egyptian forward Mo Salah and Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal, are undergoing rehabilitation for recent hamstring injuries but are expected to be in shape for the World Cup.

The provisional release list is intended for internal use only and will not be published by FIFA. Changes may be made to the provisional release list in exceptional cases and up until the submission of the final release list, according to the global governing body. May 25: Clubs to release players Clubs are required to make their players available for national duty by May 25, whereby the “rest, mandatory release and preparation period” for the World Cup begins following the last official club match on May 24.