FIFA hinted at the possibility of national teams being allowed to have 26 players on their roster for the upcoming World Cup and that possibility became a reality on Thursday.
26-player rosters for the 2022 World Cup has been approved, FIFA announced Thursday, extending the rosters from 23 to 26 players. UEFA allowed for 26-player rosters at the 2021 European Championships and due to possible COVID-19 outbreaks in Qatar, FIFA has followed suit.
There were 28-player rosters also approved for the 2021 Copa America tournament in South America and at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in January. The roster size change will now send a total of 96 extra players to Qatar for the World Cup, which runs from November 21 to December 18.
European domestic seasons will pause by November 13 to allow international players to arrive in Qatar in due time for the start of group stage play. The MLS regular season will conclude on October 9 while MLS Cup is slated for November 5.
For many national team coaches, the adjustment to 26-player rosters will help many players work their way into consideration for World Cup involvement. The U.S. men’s national team is continuing to finalize its options for Qatar with only two international matches remaining before November’s group stage opener.
The USMNT faces Wales, England, and Iran in group stage play this November, which will be the Americans first World Cup involvement since 2014.