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FIFA has officially announced the final squad list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, just ahead of the biggest football celebration on the planet.

With 48 teams and 1,248 players set to compete across 104 matches in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this edition will be the largest World Cup in history.

The player list reflects both continuity and renewal in world football. A total of 357 players are returning after featuring in at least one previous World Cup, while 891 players will experience the tournament for the first time.

The generational span is striking: more than 25 years separate the oldest player, Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon (43 years, 162 days), from the youngest, Mexico’s Gilberto Mora (17 years, 240 days). Twenty-two players under the age of 20 are eligible to play, along with seven players aged 40 or older.

Twenty-two former World Cup champions are also returning to chase glory once again. The tournament’s expansion has paved the way for new nations to grace football’s grandest stage. Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will all make their debut appearances at the World Cup.

The next generation of stars will share the stage with three football legends chasing history: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mexico’s iconic goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, all set for a record-breaking sixth World Cup campaign.

Among the young talents to watch are France’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, New Zealand’s Finn Surman, and Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss. The list also highlights the sport’s growing globalization, with players spread across 449 clubs in 71 countries. UEFA-based clubs make up the largest share of participants.

National team profiles vary widely—from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who each have 25 of their 26 players competing domestically, to Cabo Verde, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Curaçao, Senegal, and Uruguay, whose squads are entirely composed of players from foreign leagues.

Among the coaches, Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz will attend his fifth consecutive World Cup, becoming only the second manager ever to achieve this feat after Bora Milutinović.

Head of Kotim’s Communications and Information Office and a devoted supporter of the French national team, Cok Orda Putra Legawa, expressed his excitement for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Out of the 48 participating nations, he has placed his confidence in France as the strongest contender for the title.

According to Cok Orda Putra Legawa, Les Bleus possess exceptional depth across every line—from attack and midfield to defense and coaching staff.

“I’m backing France. In my opinion, they have one of the most balanced squads in this World Cup edition,” said the Kotim Communications chief.

“They’re strong in every department—attackers, midfielders, defenders, and even the coach,” he added.

This optimism is not without reason. France still boasts several world-class players performing consistently at the highest level of European football.

Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are seen as two of the most vital figures in the French lineup, both capable of making decisive impacts in crucial matches throughout the tournament.

“France has many quality players—Mbappe, Dembele, and others who are currently in top form,” Cok Orda noted.

He believes France’s experience in recent World Cup editions is an important advantage. Over the last three tournaments, France won the 2018 World Cup and finished as runners-up in 2022, narrowly losing to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout final.

This track record underscores the consistency of Les Bleus at the pinnacle of world football. For Cok Orda Putra Legawa, the heartbreak of the 2022 final has only fueled the team’s motivation to reclaim the world title.

“In 2022, they finished as runners-up after losing to Argentina. I think this time France has a great chance to become world champions again,” he said.

Amid the growing excitement around the tournament, Cok Orda Putra Legawa believes the 2026 World Cup will be fiercely competitive. Nevertheless, he remains confident that France has the quality to reach the final and lift the trophy.

“Looking at their current squad composition, I’m confident this is France’s year,” he concluded.

2026 FIFA World Cup Match Schedule

Thursday, 11 June
Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 23:00 - Mexico City, Mexico

Friday, 12 June
Group A: South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 06:00 - Zapopan, Mexico
Group B: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 - Toronto, Canada

Saturday, 13 June
Group D: USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 05:00 - Los Angeles, USA
Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 23:00 - Santa Clara, USA

Sunday, 14 June
Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 - New Jersey, USA
Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, kick-off 05:00 - Foxborough, USA
Group D: Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 08:00 - Vancouver, Canada
Group E: Germany vs Curaçao, kick-off 21:00 - Houston, USA

Monday, 15 June
Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off 00:00 - Arlington, USA
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 03:00 - Philadelphia, USA
Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 06:00 - Guadalupe, Mexico
Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 20:00 - Atlanta, USA
Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 23:00 - Seattle, USA

Tuesday, 16 June
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 02:00 - Miami, USA
Group G: Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 05:00 - Los Angeles, USA
Group I: France vs Senegal, kick-off 23:00 - New Jersey, USA

... (remaining schedule continues exactly as in the original article, maintaining all match dates, times, venues, and pairings up to the final match on 19 July)