As anticipation builds for FIFA World Cup 2026, teams will need to meet strict deadlines when naming their squads for the expanded 48-team tournament, set to be hosted across United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.
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Provisional Squad Deadline – 11 May
All participating nations must submit an initial squad list of between 35 and 55 players to FIFA by 11 May, exactly one month before the tournament kicks off.
These provisional lists are confidential and will not be made public.
Final Squad Deadline – 1 June
From the preliminary pool, teams must then confirm their final squads – consisting of 23 to 26 players, including three goalkeepers – by 1 June, 10 days before the opening match.
Only players included in this final submission will be eligible to participate in the tournament.
Late Changes Permitted
FIFA regulations allow for last-minute replacements in cases of injury or illness.
Any player ruled out can be replaced up to 24 hours before their team’s first match, subject to medical approval by both the team doctor and FIFA’s General Medical Officer.
Notably, replacement players do not have to come from the provisional list.
Expanded Tournament, Greater Flexibility
The 2026 edition will be the largest in World Cup history, featuring 48 teams.
The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the Round of 32.
Africa will have a record 10 participating nations, highlighting the growing global reach of the tournament.
Bafana Bafana’s Group A Fixtures (SA time)
- Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 21:00
- Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 18:00
- Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 03:00
Other Group A matches
- Friday, 12 June: South Korea vs Czech Republic – 04:00
- Friday, 19 June: Mexico vs South Korea – 03:00
- Thursday, 25 June: Czech Republic vs Mexico – 03:00
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B:Â Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C:Â Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D:Â United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E:Â Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F:Â Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G:Â Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H:Â Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I:Â France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J:Â Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K:Â Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L:Â England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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