The 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is approaching, with all 48 participating teams already confirmed. FIFA has established a structured timeline for the submission and finalisation of squad selections ahead of the tournament.
According to FIFA regulations, the squad selection process will be conducted in three distinct stages. On 11 May, each participating nation must submit a preliminary list of 35 to 55 players. This provisional squad must include at least five goalkeepers.
The second stage requires clubs to release selected players by 25 May, allowing national teams full access to their chosen personnel for preparation. Following this, between 25 May and 1 June, each nation must reduce its squad to a final list of 23 to 26 players. This final selection must include at least three goalkeepers.
After the submission of final squads, limited changes will still be permitted. Players may be replaced in cases of serious injury or illness. However, such alterations are only allowed up to 24 hours before a team’s first match.
The opening match of the tournament is scheduled for Thursday, 11 June, at the Estadio Azteca. The fixture will kick off at 3:00 pm local time, featuring Mexico against South Africa.
The group-stage composition of the tournament has also been confirmed, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The distribution is as follows:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czech Republic |
| B | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti |
| D | United States, Australia, Paraguay, Turkey |
| E | Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden |
| G | Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq |
| J | Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Congo |
| L | England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana |
The timetable set by FIFA ensures a phased transition from preliminary selections to final squad confirmation in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The process culminates in early June, allowing teams to complete preparations ahead of the opening fixture and the start of the group-stage matches.
