This World Cup will feature 48 participating teams and be hosted across three different countries. There had been a proposal to expand each national squad to 30 players.
For months, Mundo Deportivo has been reporting on the possibility that FIFA could increase squad sizes for the World Cup, which will be jointly held this summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.The suggestion came about as the tournament has expanded from the usual 32 teams to 48, with matches taking place in three different nations, creating logistical challenges for teams’ travel and schedules.
On 14 October last year, Mundo Deportivo reported that FIFA would examine in the coming months whether to increase World Cup squads from 26 to 30 players, following UEFA’s decision to allow 26-player squads (instead of 23) at Euro 2024.However, according to the latest information obtained by Mundo Deportivo, this plan is not expected to be approved.As a result, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente and all other national team managers will still be able to select 26 players.
The tournament will kick off on 11 June and conclude on 19 July, with matches taking place in as many as 16 different cities.