World Cup 2026: The squad, possible subsequent nominations and bans

As of: June 1, 2026 • 4:53 p.m

There are 26 players allowed in the squad – subsequent nominations during the tournament are only possible under certain conditions. The players cannot miss the final if they are suspended.

Late nominations only possible before the first game

The associations had to name their squads by June 1, 2026. As in 2022, up to 26 players can be nominated, 23 remains the minimum number. There must be at least three goalkeepers in the squad.

Only these 23 to 26 players are allowed to play. Teams must arrive at least five days before their first game. A subsequent nomination is possible up to 24 hours before a team’s first game, after which they must make do with the squad that traveled with them.

A subsequent nomination is only possible if a player has a proven injury and has been checked by the FIFA medical department. This player does not need to have previously been in the provisional squad. In such a case, the new player receives the shirt number of his predecessor. The same principle applies to goalkeepers, but throughout the tournament, not just before the first game.

In 2014, Marco Reus was injured in a friendly against Armenia – five days after the 23-26-man squad was submitted to FIFA. Shkodran Mustafi, who was removed from the provisional squad, traveled to replace him – and became world champion.

In addition to the 23 to 26 players, each association is allowed to nominate 27 officials. These include, for example, trainers, doctors or equipment supervisors.

Yellow cards – only blocked for the final in exceptional cases

Single yellow cards as well as outstanding suspensions from multiple yellow cards, yellow-red cards and emergency red cards from qualifying do not affect the World Cup finals. All other bans apply.

During the tournament, every second yellow card results in a ban for the next game. There are now two exceptions to this: after the group phase and after the quarter-finals, all individual yellow cards are canceled. This means that no player can miss the final due to a yellow card suspension. This is what happened to Argentina Claudio Caniggia 1990 or Germany’s Michael Ballack in 2002.

There is another way to miss the final and other games: a yellow-red card is followed by a game ban. After a red card, there is at least one game ban, and the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will then decide on a possibly harsher punishment.

The rule changes in recent years could also result in a special case. Yellow cards are not carried over to penalties within a game. Anyone who receives another yellow card in the penalty shootout does not receive the yellow-red card and can take their penalty. However, the player then has two yellow cards on his record, so he could receive a ban for the final with two yellow cards.

Doping and player health

When it comes to doping, FIFA refers to its anti-doping regulations. This provides for controls and penalties. Doping is considered an underestimated phenomenon in football: Since the beginning of World Cup history, positive tests have only been reported very rarely during World Cups, the last one so far being Diego Maradona in 1994 in the USA.

In terms of health, FIFA wants to pay more attention to concussions. There is a protocol for conducting the examinations. Referees are allowed to stop the game for three minutes to allow the investigation. In addition, in this case, an additional substitution beyond the usual quota is permitted. The topic always causes discussions – especially when it comes to the question of whether all risks can be eliminated in just a few minutes. The “tough guy” culture in men’s football also plays a role. A warning example is Christoph Kramer’s injury in the 2014 World Cup final, when he returned to the pitch in a daze despite a concussion.

With regards to heart disease, all players require appropriate examination before the tournament. If a player collapses without the intervention of an opponent, the medical team is allowed onto the pitch immediately and does not have to wait for a signal from the referee.

Light jerseys, dark jerseys

Each team needs two different sets of jerseys (light and dark), and the goalkeepers even have to have three different colors. The jerseys must be approved by FIFA – in 2002, FIFA did not allow Cameroon to play in typical basketball jerseys, so the team opted for black sleeves.

Each team must bring goalkeeper jerseys without a name – in case a field player has to go into the goal due to a dismissal or injury. Every association has to transport all jerseys to every game in order to be able to react at all times. Every team should be allowed to play in their home jersey at least once. FIFA has announced that it will show consideration for people with color vision deficiency. If possible, problematic constellations with the jerseys in this regard should not arise.

The number 1 on the shirt must be assigned to a goalkeeper. It used to be common practice in some countries to assign shirt numbers alphabetically. Argentina’s goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol wore the number 5 in 1978 and the number 7 in 1982 – that is no longer possible today.

Political symbols and messages not allowed

Political, religious, personal or commercial messages remain prohibited on any clothing in the match day environment. It was the big topic of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. At the time, FIFA banned Denmark and Qatar from using the slogan “Human rights for all” on his training clothes – it is a political message and therefore forbidden.

Eight European teams, including Germany, initially announced that they would wear a captain’s armband with a colorful heart and the inscription “One Love” as a symbol against discrimination. FIFA threatened yellow cards and specified “sporting consequences” – the associations gave in.

A boycott would have had sporting consequences

According to the regulations, teams are required to take part after registration. A boycott was tentatively discussed in Germany, but was a concrete topic in Iran. If teams had stayed away from the tournament, it would also have had sporting consequences: In this case, FIFA is threatening possible exclusion from further tournaments (including women’s or youth tournaments).

Probably not so bad for solvent football associations: a team withdrawal less than 30 days before the start of the tournament would cost FIFA a fine of at least 500,000 Swiss francs. The world association could then freely decide on a replacement team.