World football governing body, FIFA, is reportedly studying a proposal to increase national team squads from 26 to 30 players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The move, currently under review by FIFA’s competitions committee, comes as part of preparations for what will be the biggest World Cup in history featuring 48 nations and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to reports, the proposal aims to help national teams better manage player fatigue, injuries, and the expanded tournament schedule. The 2026 edition will see more travel, longer group stages, and additional knockout games compared to previous tournaments.
If approved, the rule change would mark another evolution in squad regulations, following FIFA’s decision to expand from 23 to 26 players for the Qatar 2022 World Cup in response to the congested club calendar and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A final decision on the squad expansion is expected to be made before the end of 2025, ahead of the official World Cup draw in Las Vegas.
