FIFA has approved 26-man squads for this year’s World Cup in Qatar taking place in November and December.
The move is in line with recent national competitions and is an expansion on 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 – something England head coach Gareth Southgate had called for.
“I think everybody has to be available for all the games,” he said in April.
Southgate added: “If the squads are going to be bigger then it needs to be a situation where everybody is able to change on a matchday.”
The deadline for all 32 countries competing to submit their final squads is 20 October – 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, of which one must be the team doctor – will be allowed to sit on the bench.
The World Cup will begin on November 21 and end on December 18, the first time the competition will be held towards the end of the year due to Qatar’s weather.
BBC Sport
