World Cup 2026 Squads: Neymar, Modric and Every Big Selection Call

The squads are coming in. Countries have started announcing their 26-man selections for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and already the big calls are dominating headlines. Neymar, written off by half of Brazil after an injury-plagued two years, is in. Luka Modric, who will be 40 years old when the tournament kicks off, is in. The drama of squad selection, the agonizing decisions, the players left at home, the veterans given one last chance. It is all part of the World Cup experience, and the 2026 edition is delivering more of it than ever before because there are 48 teams for the first time.

With the tournament starting on June 11, most federations are finalizing their squads this week. FIFA's deadline for preliminary squads has passed, and the confirmed 26-man lists are now being released. Every selection tells a story: a manager's philosophy, a player's redemption arc, a gamble on youth or experience. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the biggest calls so far and what they mean for the tournament. Track every World Cup match live on iScore.ai.

Neymar makes Brazil's 26-man squad

The headline from Brazil's squad announcement was always going to be Neymar. The 34-year-old has been included in the 26-man list named by manager Carlo Ancelotti, capping a remarkable turnaround for a player whose career appeared to be in terminal decline. Neymar has not completed a full 90 minutes for club or country since October 2024, and his move to Santos in early 2026 was seen by many as a semi-retirement. But Ancelotti, who took over Brazil in 2025, has backed the forward's quality and experience.

Neymar's inclusion comes at the expense of younger forwards who have been performing consistently in European leagues. The decision has divided opinion in Brazil. Supporters point to his record of 79 goals in 128 international appearances and his ability to produce moments of individual brilliance that can turn a tournament. Critics argue that selecting a player who cannot complete 90 minutes sends the wrong message to the squad and takes a spot from a deserving youngster.

Ancelotti's reasoning is straightforward. In a 48-team World Cup with a longer knockout stage, squad depth and tournament experience matter more than ever. Neymar may not start every match, but as an impact substitute in the latter stages of games, his quality is undeniable. The Italian manager has managed some of the biggest names in football history at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. He knows how to handle egos and how to extract maximum value from aging stars.

The rest of Brazil's squad blends youth and experience. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are the attacking anchors, supported by Bruno Guimaraes in midfield and Marquinhos at the back. The goalkeeping position is contested between Alisson and Ederson, with the Manchester City keeper reportedly edging ahead in training. Brazil are in Group B alongside Switzerland, Cameroon, and New Zealand, a draw that should see them advance comfortably.

Modric, 40, named by Croatia

If Neymar's inclusion was debated, Luka Modric's was barely a discussion. Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic named the 40-year-old in his 26-man squad, and it would have been a bigger story if he had not. Modric remains Croatia's most important player, a statement that seems absurd for a midfielder born in 1985 but is supported by the evidence of every match he plays.

Modric's 2025-26 season at Real Madrid has been limited to cameos from the bench in La Liga, but his performances in the Champions League, where Madrid reached the semi-finals, showed that his technical quality and game intelligence remain at the highest level. He may not have the legs to press for 90 minutes anymore, but his passing range, composure under pressure, and ability to control the tempo of a match are skills that do not diminish with age.

Dalic's plan is to use Modric strategically: starting in the group stages when the opposition is less intense and deploying him as a second-half substitute in the knockout rounds when Croatia need to regain control of the midfield. It is the same approach that worked in Qatar 2022, where Modric was outstanding as Croatia reached the semi-finals. The 2026 tournament will be his fifth World Cup, and he has confirmed it will be his last as a player.

Croatia are in Group F alongside Mexico, Scotland, and Oman. It is a manageable group that should allow Dalic to rotate his squad and keep Modric fresh for the knockout rounds. If Croatia advance as expected, Modric could face Brazil or England in the Round of 32, matchups that would test his aging legs against the fastest attackers in the tournament.

England squad expectations

England have not yet officially announced their squad, but the leaks and informed speculation point to several key decisions for manager Thomas Tuchel. The German, who took over from Gareth Southgate after Euro 2024, has been putting his stamp on the team during qualifying and the pre-tournament friendlies.

The biggest talking point is Marcus Rashford. Currently on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, Rashford has been linked with a permanent move to the Camp Nou and has rediscovered his best form in La Liga. Tuchel is expected to include him, valuing the pace and directness he brings to the left flank. But the competition for attacking places is fierce, with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon all competing for three or four spots.

In midfield, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are automatic selections. The third midfield spot is contested between Trent Alexander-Arnold (who Tuchel has been deploying as a midfielder), Kobbie Mainoo, and Adam Wharton. The goalkeeper position has been settled in favor of Jordan Pickford, with Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson as backups.

Harry Kane, despite turning 33 during the tournament, remains the focal point of the attack. His goal-scoring record for England, 68 goals in 102 appearances, speaks for itself. The question is whether Tuchel will carry a like-for-like backup or use Ollie Watkins in a different role. Watkins has been in superb form for Aston Villa, scoring 22 goals in all competitions this season and earning a Champions League spot for the club.

Other big selection calls

Beyond the headliners, several other squad announcements have raised eyebrows. France have left out Paul Pogba, whose return from a doping ban in early 2026 has not convinced Didier Deschamps. The decision ends Pogba's international career at 33, with 91 caps and a World Cup winner's medal from 2018. Deschamps has instead opted for a younger midfield featuring Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Warren Zaire-Emery.

Germany have included Antonio Rudiger, who will sign a one-year extension at Real Madrid, but the story is the emergence of several Bundesliga talents. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz form the most creative attacking midfield partnership in the tournament, and manager Julian Nagelsmann has built the team around their ability to find space between the lines.

Argentina's squad is notable for the potential absence of Lionel Messi from a World Cup for the first time since 2002. The 38-year-old has not confirmed his availability, and reports suggest he is leaning toward retirement from international football after leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. If Messi does not play, the attacking burden falls on Julian Alvarez, Lautaro Martinez, and Angel Di Maria, who has come out of international retirement for one final tournament.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has named his squad, with Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, and John McGinn the spine of the team. Clarke's key questions centered on whether to include Lyndon Dykes, who has struggled with injury, and whether to give a first call-up to 19-year-old Leeds midfielder Archie Gray. The squad announcement revealed a mix of experience and youth that reflects Scotland's improving talent pool.

The 48-team format explained

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in every tournament since 1998. The expansion adds 16 teams and introduces a new format: 12 groups of four teams instead of the previous eight groups. The top two from each group advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams, creating a Round of 32 before the traditional Round of 16.

The expansion means the tournament will feature 104 matches, up from 64 in the 32-team format. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, making it the longest World Cup in history. For players, the extended schedule raises concerns about fatigue, particularly those involved in domestic cup finals in late May and early June.

The format has been criticized by traditionalists who argue it dilutes the quality of the tournament and rewards mediocrity. Proponents counter that it gives more nations the experience of competing on the biggest stage, which is particularly important for developing football nations in Africa, Asia, and North America. The inclusion of teams like Oman, New Zealand, and several African debutants adds novelty, even if the competitive balance in some groups is uneven.

Groups and key fixtures

The group stage draw produced several compelling matchups. Group A features the United States, Uruguay, Egypt, and North Macedonia, giving the host nation a challenging but navigable path. Group B has Brazil, Switzerland, Cameroon, and New Zealand, where Brazil should dominate but the second qualifying spot is contested. Group F, containing Croatia, Mexico, Scotland, and Oman, promises passionate encounters between Croatia's technical quality and Mexico's intensity.

The tournament kicks off on June 11 with the opening ceremony and first match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The group stage runs through June 27, with four matches per day during the final group matchdays to maintain competitive integrity. The Round of 32 begins on June 29, and the final is on July 19.

For fans planning their viewing schedules, the time zones in North America mean most matches will kick off between 2 PM and 9 PM local time, translating to evening kickoffs in Europe and late night or early morning in Asia. The scheduling has been designed to maximize global television audiences, with FIFA estimating that the 2026 tournament will attract over 6 billion cumulative viewers, a 30% increase over 2022. Every match, every goal, every moment available live on iScore.ai.

FAQ