Fifa has approved 26-man squads for this year’s World Cup which will be in Qatar. This year’s World Cup will be in a fashion it has not been before. Clubs will have to pause their leagues and then go for the World Cup to continue the tournament finish. Because of this, it is only wise that they give provision for many players to be available due to fatigue.
This move is in line with recent national competitions. It is an expansion of the 23-man squads that had been used before the coronavirus pandemic. Fifa also said up to 15 substitutes can be named for a game, meaning no player misses out. England head coach Gareth Southgate had earlier called for this move.
Then, the head coach said: “I think everybody has to be available for all the games.” He also said: “If the squads are going to be bigger then it needs to be a situation where everybody can change on a matchday.” The deadline for all 32 countries competing to submit their final squads is 20 October. It is 30 days before the first game between Senegal and the Netherlands at the Al Thumama Stadium.
Fifa also said that no more than 26 people up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials should be available. In the list of officials, one of them must be the team doctor who will be allowed to sit on the bench.