Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min
2 June 2026

Major League Soccer will send a record 44 active players to the World Cup, the league’s highest total in its 33-year history. MLS also said 103 current or former league players will appear at the tournament.

Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min headline the group, while several squads carry heavy MLS influence. The league pointed to academy and MLS NEXT Pro pathways as evidence of broader player development growth before the tournament.

Thomas Partey, Ghana, Carlos Queiroz
2 June 2026

Thomas Partey was named in Ghana’s World Cup squad despite being due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges. Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku defended his inclusion.

Carlos Queiroz kept Partey in the final 26 after naming him in the preliminary group. Ghana also included Antoine Semenyo and Brandon Thomas-Asante, while Mohammed Kudus missed out through injury before the tournament began.

England, Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane
2 June 2026

England began their pre-World Cup camp in Florida as Thomas Tuchel started preparations in hot-weather conditions. Several players involved in recent European finals will join later, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.

Tuchel wanted players to acclimatise before the tournament, with warm-up games against New Zealand and Costa Rica scheduled. England then move to Kansas City before opening Group L against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June.

Iran, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh
1 June 2026

Iran named their World Cup squad without recalling Sardar Azmoun, despite public calls for his return. Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh will instead lead the attack as Iran continue preparations from Turkey.

Amir Ghalenoei kept faith with the players from his preliminary list and avoided reversing course on Azmoun. Iran will move to their Mexico base before group matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in the United States.

Laura Berry, Mia McAulay, Scotland, Rangers
1 June 2026

Rangers teenagers Laura Berry and Mia McAulay were called into Scotland’s squad for Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Israel. They replace Sophie Howard and Freya Gregory after both players withdrew from Melissa Andreatta’s group before the double-header.

The call-ups come just after Rangers lost the Women’s Scottish Cup final to Celtic. Scotland lead Group B4 on goal difference from Belgium, with the top three still moving into play-offs for the 2027 World Cup.

Saud Abdulhamid, Saudi Arabia, Georgios Donis
1 June 2026

Saud Abdulhamid was named as the only overseas-based player in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament. The Roma defender spent last season on loan at Lens, while Salem Al Dawsari will captain the group.

Georgios Donis selected the rest of his squad from Saudi Pro League clubs, leaning heavily on Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Qadsiah players. Saudi Arabia open against Uruguay before facing Spain and Cape Verde.

Ecuador, Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie, Enner Valencia
1 June 2026

Ecuador named their World Cup squad with Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie and Enner Valencia included among the headline names. Sunderland forward Nilson Angulo also made the group and is set for his first appearance at the tournament.

Valencia captains the squad as Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, while Kendry Paez and Pervis Estupinan add further high-profile names. Ecuador open Group E against Ivory Coast before facing Curacao and Germany later in June group play.

Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico, Javier Aguirre
1 June 2026

Guillermo Ochoa was named in Mexico’s World Cup squad and could play at a record sixth tournament this summer for the co-hosts. The 40-year-old joins Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among players selected for six World Cups.

Javier Aguirre also included Raul Jimenez, Edson Alvarez, Gilberto Mora and Armando Gonzalez for the co-hosts. Mexico face South Africa in the opener at Estadio Azteca before group matches against South Korea and Czech Republic.

Tete Yengi, Cristian Volpato, Australia, Tony Popovic
31 May 2026

Livingston striker Tete Yengi and Cristian Volpato were named in Australia’s 26-man World Cup squad despite being uncapped late additions. Martin Boyle was left out, while Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie could make their fourth tournament.

Yengi forced his way in after a strong loan spell with Machida Zelvia, while FIFA cleared Volpato’s switch from Italy. Tony Popovic said difficult calls were needed before Australia face Switzerland and then open against Turkey.

Luis Suárez, Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay
31 May 2026

Luis Suárez was left out of Uruguay’s World Cup squad despite scoring regularly for Inter Miami this season. Marcelo Bielsa selected Darwin Núñez and Rodrigo Aguirre among his forwards, leaving out the country’s record scorer.

Suárez has not played for Uruguay since 2024, and Bielsa chose to move forward without his 143-cap veteran. Fernando Muslera made the squad, while Nahitan Nández was another notable omission from the final group.