FIFA Officially Publishes All 48 World Cup Squads — 1,248-Player Tournament Field Locked In, 9 Days to Kickoff

FIFA officially published the confirmed 26-man squad lists for all 48 nations on June 2 — one day after the June 1 submission deadline — freezing the complete 1,248-player field for the first 48-team World Cup. The publication confirms: Lionel Messi (Argentina) equals Cristiano Ronaldo's record of six World Cup appearances; Manuel Neuer (40) returns from international retirement for Germany; Portugal carries an honorary 27th place for the late Diogo Jota; Iran's squad (led by captain Mehdi Taremi) is included despite zero US visas being issued to any delegation member with 9 days to their June 15 Group G opener. England's FA simultaneously released squad numbers — Harry Kane #9, Jude Bellingham #10, Bukayo Saka #7. The June 2 publication marks the definitive pre-tournament freeze: no further additions permitted except FIFA-approved injury replacements.