According to international media, this decision will be considered by FIFA after the 2026 World Cup increases the scale from 32 to 48 teams, resulting in more matches and longer competition time. Allowing additional player registration will help teams rotate personnel more effectively, while reducing the risk of injuries when having to compete at high density.
In previous World Cups, FIFA only allowed a maximum of 26 players. However, the reality in Qatar 2022 shows that many teams are having trouble with many injuries or players being suspended at the same time. The expansion of the list promises to bring significant advantages, especially for teams with a deep squad.
By mid-October 2025, there were 28 teams officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup, including three host countries: the US, Canada and Mexico along with big names such as Argentina, Brazil, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Qatar and Morocco.
The draw for the group stage is scheduled to take place on December 5 in the US, when FIFA will determine about 42 out of 48 participating teams. The tournament will kick off from June 11 to July 19, 2026, marking the first time the World Cup has been held in three countries and on the largest scale in history.
