World Cup 2026: FIFA Pushes Back on UEFA’s Squad-Size Move as 48 Teams Go Global
5 March 2026
World Cup 2026: Bigger Stage, Bigger Questions
The World Cup will be staged for the first time with 48 teams across three host nations, taking place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA declined to follow UEFA's lead on squad sizes for the 2026 edition.
UEFA had expanded its Euro 2024 squad limit to 26 players from 23, broadening selection options for coaches.
Earlier reports suggested FIFA was weighing a similar move to raise squads to 30 players, a historic first for the World Cup.
The push comes as the tournament expands to 48 teams and three hosts, introducing logistical complexities in travel and scheduling.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, citing sources, suggested the proposal might not be adopted in the end.
Matches are planned to be staged across 16 cities, reflecting the global scope of this three-country event.
No final decision has been announced yet, keeping coaches and fans waiting as logistics teams map routes between venues and time zones.
Logistics will require coordinated travel, training sites, and stadium schedules to ensure a smooth tournament flow.
Read also: [link omitted]
With this expansion, debates over rosters intensify, but for now, FIFA has not confirmed any change to the standard 26-man squad.
And if rosters do grow, the bench will become a full-blown feature film—longer than most pre-match speeches.
Punchline: if they ever push to 30, we’ll need a separate trophy for the best warm-up routine.
