The football world is on the eve of a major celebration: the 2026 FIFA World Cup From June 11 to July 19 It will take place on the North American continent — in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This tournament will open a new chapter in football history, as for the first time, the World Cup will be held with an expanded format, featuring 48 national teams For comparison, from 1998 to 2022, only 32 teams competed in the final stage.
Three countries and 16 host cities
The scale of the competition is impressive not only due to the number of teams but also its geography. Matches will be held in 16 cities across three countries:
USA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.
Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.
Requirements for national team squads
According to new FIFA regulations, each team's final roster can include a maximum of 26 players It is mandatory to include at least 3 goalkeepers.
In the initial stage, coaches can include 35 to 55 players in the preliminary list. The final selection will consist of 23 to 26 players.
Important dates: Squad announcement calendar
Teams must submit their rosters within the following deadlines approved by FIFA:
May 11: Deadline for submitting the 35–55 player preliminary list (up to 5 goalkeepers allowed).
May 25: Deadline for announcing all called-up players.
May 25 — June 1: Period for submitting the final 23–26 player roster.
It is worth noting that FIFA will officially confirm all squads on June 2. In case of an unexpected injury, team management has the right to replace a player up to 24 hours before the start of their first match.
This year's World Cup will undoubtedly be an unforgettable event for fans, not only for its intense matches but also for its updated regulations.
In your opinion, how will the new 48-team format affect the quality of the games?
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