Four nations announce provisional squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Adegboyega Adeleye

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, several nations have begun the process of finalising their squads by publishing provisional player lists for the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

More than 1,000 footballers will represent their countries at the global event. Each team may register up to 26 players, including three goalkeepers. The provisional list, which must contain between 35 and 55 names, is the first step; the final roster will be reduced to 23‑26 players. FIFA allows teams to announce their squads at any time, but the lists become official only after FIFA confirms them on 2 June.

Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first nation to publish a full squad on 11 May, the same day Lionel Messi appeared in the provisional list of defending champions Argentina. While rumours about possible squad releases from Brazil and Spain continue to circulate online, neither federation has yet confirmed an official provisional list.

Below are the countries that have officially announced provisional squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina

– Key Players: Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolás Otamendi.

Argentina’s provisional roster blends seasoned internationals with emerging talent. Messi is expected to remain a central figure in Lionel Scaloni’s side, provided he stays fit.

Argentina (preliminary)

Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa), Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille), Juan Musso (Atlético de Madrid), Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace FC), Facundo Cambeses (Racing Club), Santiago Beltrán (River Plate)

Defenders: Agustín Giay (Palmeiras), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Nahuel Molina (Atlético de Madrid), Nicolás Capaldo (Hamburger SV), Kevin Mac Allister (Union Saint‑Gilloise), Lucas Martínez Quarta (River Plate), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United), Nicolás Otamendi (SL Benfica), Germán Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique de Marseille), Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur), Lautaro Di Lollo (Boca Juniors), Zaid Romero (Getafe CF), Facundo Medina (Olympique de Marseille), Marcos Acuña (River Plate), Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais), Gabriel Rojas (Racing Club)

Midfielders: Máximo Perrone (Como 1907), Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Guido Rodríguez (Valencia CF), Aníbal Moreno (River Plate), Milton Delgado (Boca Juniors), Alan Varela (FC Porto), Ezequiel Fernández (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Giovani Lo Celso (Real Betis), Nicolás Domínguez (Nottingham Forest), Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa), Valentín Barco (RC Strasbourg)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolás Paz (Como 1907), Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atlético de Madrid), Tomás Aranda (Boca Juniors), Nicolás González (Atlético de Madrid), Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), Giuliano Simeone (Atlético de Madrid), Matías Soulé (AS Roma), Claudio Echeverri (Girona FC), Gianluca Prestianni (SL Benfica), Santiago Castro (Bologna FC), Lautaro Martínez (Internazionale), José Manuel López (Palmeiras), Julián Álvarez (Atlético de Madrid), Mateo Pellegrino (Parma Calcio)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

– Key Players: Edin Džeko, Sead Kolašinac, Haris Tabaković, Esmir Bajraktarević, Amar Dedić.

Bosnia and Herzegovina have officially disclosed their 26‑man final squad as they continue preparations for the World Cup.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (final)

Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (FC St. Pauli), Martin Zlomislić (HNK Rijeka), Osman Hadžikić (Slaven Belupo)

Defenders: Sead Kolašinac (Atalanta BC), Amar Dedić (SL Benfica), Nihad Mujakić (Gaziantep FK), Nikola Katić (Schalke 04), Tarik Muharemović (US Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljić (HNK Rijeka), Dennis Hadžikadunić (UC Sampdoria), Nidal Čelik (Lens)

Midfielders: Amir Hadžiahmetović (Hull City), Ivan Šunjić (Pafos FC), Ivan Bašić (FC Astana), Dženis Burnić (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmić (FC Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirović (Bröndby IF), Amar Memić (FC Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigović (BSC Young Boys)

Forwards: Kerim Alajbegović (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarević (PSV Eindhoven), Ermedin Demirović (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukić (FC Universitatea