Four countries have officially released their provisional squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Uzbekistan have unveiled their lists of players ahead of the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The preliminary list is the first selection of between 35 and 55 players, while the final squads will be between 23 and 26 players. According to FIFA, teams can announce their squads at any time, but they are not considered official until confirmed by FIFA on 2 June.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first team to announce their full squad on 11 May, the same day that Lionel Messi was named in the provisional squad of defending champions Argentina.

Key Facts

  • Argentina's provisional squad includes Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martinez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Nicolas Otamendi.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina's 26-man squad features Edin Dzeko, Sead Kolasinac, Haris Tabakovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, and Amar Dedic.
  • Qatar's provisional squad includes Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Tahsin Mohammed, Edmílson Junior, and Hassan Al-Haydos.
  • Uzbekistan's 26-man squad features Abdukodir Khusanov, Igor Sergeev, Odiljon Hamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov, and Eldor Shomurodov.

Squad Analysis

Argentina's provisional list includes a mix of experienced stars and emerging talents, with Lionel Messi still expected to play a central role in their title defence. The squad features a strong attacking line-up, with the likes of Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's squad, on the other hand, has a good balance of youth and experience. Edin Dzeko will be leading the team's attack, while Sead Kolasinac and Haris Tabakovic will be key players in the midfield.

Qatar's squad reflects the country's ongoing investment in developing a competitive national team capable of challenging bigger football nations. The team has a good mix of local and foreign players, with Almoez Ali and Akram Afif being the key players in the attack.

Uzbekistan's squad is led by Fabio Cannavaro and features a talented young generation of players. The team has a good balance of defence and attack, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Igor Sergeev being the key players in the defence and Eldor Shomurodov leading the attack.

'The preliminary list is the first selection of between 35 and 55 players, while the final squads will be between 23 and 26 players.'

  • FIFA statement

Tournament Overview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with over 1,000 footballers representing their nations at the global football tournament. Each team can name up to 26 players, including three goalkeepers. The tournament is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with several top teams vying for the title.

The release of the provisional squads is an important step towards the tournament, as it gives fans a glimpse of what to expect from their teams. The final squads will be announced on 2 June, and the tournament will kick off soon after.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see which teams will emerge victorious. The release of the provisional squads has added to the excitement, and the tournament is expected to be one of the most thrilling in recent history.