World Cup news: Teams announce their squads 

by Chumasande Matiwane

With less than four weeks to go until the start of the men’s FIFA World Cup, fans are eager to see if their favourite players have made the squad.

As of yesterday, 18 May 2026, many countries’ teams announced the players representing them at this year’s soccer tournament. All competing nations were required to submit provisional squad lists of between 35 and 55 players, including at least four goalkeepers, to FIFA by 11 May 2026.

However, these were for administrative purposes, and countries were not required to release them to the public.

Also see: Bafana Bafana World Cup squad announcement still awaits

Countries announce their final teams

As of yesterday, many teams announced their final 26-player squads. Although the last day to submit and release squad members is the first, many African countries shared their lineups earlier this week.

The African countries to do so are: Cape Verde, Tunisia, the Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, so far. The Hugo Broos-led team has yet to announce the squad, and with the Betway Championship still underway, fans are still waiting to find out who will be selected for Bafana Bafana.

Also see: World Cup halftime show to feature global stars

International countries that have announced their squads include Mexico, Japan, France, Portugal, and Brazil, to name a few. Fans will be delighted to know that Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo will all be joining the FIFA World Cup.

Now the question remains: might this be their last World Cup?

Also see: DStv drops prices to make World Cup accessible

Featured image: Supplied

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