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FIFA is planning to announce the official 26-player squad lists for the 48 national teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 2, 2026. This decision also concerns Morocco as the Atlas Lions prepare for this year’s extended edition of the global tournament, which will be jointly hosted this summer by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
According to FIFA regulations, participating football federations must first submit a preliminary squad list containing between 35 and 55 players, including four goalkeepers. This provisional list will remain confidential and will only be used internally by FIFA.
The final squad list, however, must contain between 23 and 26 players, including at least three goalkeepers.
FIFA also stated that any player suffering a serious injury or illness before the start of the tournament may only be replaced by a player included in the provisional squad list, no later than 24 hours before their team’s first match at 2026 World Cup .
A goalkeeper in the final squad may be replaced by another goalkeeper from the provisional squad in the event of a serious injury or illness at any time during the tournament.
The history of World Cup squad lists
Historically, World Cup squads were limited to 22 players from the first tournament in 1930 until the 1998 edition in France. FIFA later expanded the number to 23 players ahead of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. The rule has remained in place for two decades.
Before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA approved a further increase to 26 players, allowing coaches to have more tactical options throughout the competition. The same regulation will remain in effect for the 2026 edition.
For Morocco, the larger squad number could provide head coach Mohamed Ouahbi with additional solutions across different positions as the Atlas Lions prepare for another World Cup campaign following their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar.
