Preparing for the 2026 World Cup: What to Know Before You Watch

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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, fans are keeping an eye on the national team rosters. The tournament will kick off in Mexico City on June 11, and the world champion will be crowned at the iconic New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) after five weeks of intense competition. To get the most out of the experience, fans should familiarize themselves with the basics before attending or watching any of the matches.

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According to the official rules for the 2026 World Cup, each team's roster must consist of a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26, consistent with the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In the previous tournament, FIFA expanded the squad size in response to increasing schedule congestion, as well as match delays and increased workload caused by the pandemic — a change that received widespread support. As a result, FIFA has decided to retain this rule for the 2026 edition.

Regarding the specific roster rules, each team must finalize its squad from a provisional list of 35 to 55 players. If a player suffers a serious injury or illness within 24 hours of the first match, he may be replaced by another player on the provisional list. In addition, each 26-man roster must include at least 3 goalkeepers. Before the tournament begins, teams may also call up to nine additional players for training purposes, though these players are not eligible to play in official matches.