Category Archives: National Teams 2026

World Cup 2026 Group G: Squad announcements

National Teams 2026

Belgium

Belgium have included Romelu Lukaku in their World Cup selection even though head coach Rudi Garcia has described him as lacking match sharpness. The 33-year-old Napoli forward has played only seven brief substitute outings totalling 69 minutes in the 2025-26 campaign and has spent the last two months in Belgium recovering from a hamstring problem. He remains the nation’s record scorer with 89 goals in 124 international matches, his most recent appearance coming against Wales last June. Garcia has said Lukaku is recovered but not yet fully fit, though he still views him as the squad’s leading striker. Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been added as attacking cover after switching international eligibility, while Lois Openda was omitted and Zeno Debast was selected despite a training injury.

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Racing Strasbourg).
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Maxim de Cuyper (Brighton), Koni de Winter (AC Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Lille), Nathan Ngoy (Lille), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Midfielders: Kevin de Bruyne (Napoli), Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Girona).
Forwards: Charles de Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Strasbourg), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).

Egypt

Egypt have named Mohamed Salah as captain in their provisional 27-player World Cup group. The 33-year-old forward is preparing to leave Liverpool after nine seasons and has scored 67 times in 115 international appearances. He is joined by Manchester City winger Omar Marmoush and 18-year-old Barcelona Under-19 forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who is yet to be capped at senior level. Mostafa Mohamed has been left out, while one more player will be removed after a friendly against Russia in Cairo on 28 May to meet the 26-player limit. Egypt will also meet Brazil in Cleveland on 6 June.

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), El Mahdi Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna).
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (Zed), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonemn (Nice), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids).
Midfielders: Marwan Ateya (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Nabil Emad (Al Najma), Mahmoud Saber (Zed), Ahmed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Haissem Hassan (Real Ovideo).
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona).

Iran

Iran has left Sardar Azmoun out of their World Cup group amid reports linking his exclusion to actions considered disloyal by authorities. The striker, who plays in the United Arab Emirates, has 57 goals in 91 international appearances and was reported to have angered officials after posting a photo with UAE leader Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a period of regional tension. Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has again excluded him from a major tournament squad. Iran, who were considering relocation concerns involving their tournament base in Mexico, will compete in Group G games across venues in the United States. Key forwards Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh have been included in the final selection.

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini
Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Danial Eiri, Ramin Rezaeian, Saleh Hardani
Midfielders: Saman Ghoddos (Kalba, UAE), Saeid Ezatolahi (Shahab al-Ahli, UAE), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda, UAE), Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Amirmohammad Razzaghinia, Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov, Rus), Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Ghayedi (Al-Nasr, UAE), Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Aria Yousefi
Forwards: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiakos, Gre), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Ali Alipour, Shahriyar Moghanlou (Kalba, UAE), Dennis Eckert (Standard Liege, Bel)

New Zealand

New Zealand has selected both veteran defender Tommy Smith and striker Chris Wood for their World Cup squad. Smith, 36, currently with Braintree Town, last featured internationally in 2024, and his club was relegated from the National League this season. Wood, 34, who has recently returned from a long injury layoff and now leads the team, will captain the side. Both players were part of the squad at the 2010 World Cup, when New Zealand drew all three group matches against Italy, Slovakia, and Paraguay.

Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe (Millwall), Alex Paulsen (Lechia Gdansk, on loan from Bournemouth), Michael Woud (Auckland FC).
Defenders: Tim Payne (Wellington Phoenix), Francis de Vries (Auckland FC), Tyler Bindon (Nottingham Forest), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Liberato Cacace (Wrexham), Nando Pijnaker (Auckland FC), Finn Surman (Portland Timbers), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), Tommy Smith (Braintree Town).
Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking FK), Matthew Garbett (Peterborough United), Marko Stamenic (Swansea City), Sarpreet Singh (Wellington Phoenix), Alex Rufer (Wellington Phoenix), Ben Old (Saint-Étienne), Callum McCowatt (Silkeborg IF), Lachlan Bayliss (Newcastle Jets), Ryan Thomas (PEC Zwolle).
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses (Western Sydney Wanderers), Eli Just (Motherwell), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Ben Waine (Port Vale), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest).

Czech Republic’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

2026 FIFA World Cup, National Teams 2026

Czech Republic’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

The Czech Republic national team is in Group A, including the Korea Republic, South Africa, and Mexico.

✅   No Italian Serie A players among the called-ups.

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings

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Czech Republic    Czechia:
  • Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague)
  • Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
  • Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais), Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen)
  • Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Matchday 1
FIFA World Cup 2026
11-06-2026 19:00 locationEstadio Azteca
2 - 0
FIFA World Cup 2026
12-06-2026 02:00 locationEstadio Akron
2 - 1
Matchday 2
FIFA World Cup 2026
18-06-2026 16:00 locationMercedes-Benz Stadium
1 - 1
FIFA World Cup 2026
19-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio Azteca
1 - 0
Matchday 3
FIFA World Cup 2026
25-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio BBVA
v
FIFA World Cup 2026
25-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio Azteca
v

Group A

Rank Teams Played Won Drawn Lost Goal difference For Against Next Match
1 Mexico 2 2 0 0 3 3 0
2 Korea Republic 2 1 0 1 0 2 2
3 Czech Republic 2 0 1 1 -1 2 3
4 South Africa 2 0 1 1 -2 1 3
 
Knockout
 
Possible knockout

 

 

South Africa’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

2026 FIFA World Cup, National Teams 2026

South Africa’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos announced his squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring two new players earning their first caps in this 26-member team set to compete in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  The South Africa national team is in Group A.  South Africa will start the 2026 World Cup tournament by facing Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.   Group A also features a familiar face from Asia, the Korea Republic, along with a UEFA participant, Czech Republic, and Mexico.

✅   No Italian Serie A players among the called-ups.

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings

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Sports Events 365

South Africa    South Africa:
  • Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
  • Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
  • Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)
  • Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
Image

Photo via x.com/OfficialTeamRSA

Matchday 1
FIFA World Cup 2026
11-06-2026 19:00 locationEstadio Azteca
2 - 0
FIFA World Cup 2026
12-06-2026 02:00 locationEstadio Akron
2 - 1
Matchday 2
FIFA World Cup 2026
18-06-2026 16:00 locationMercedes-Benz Stadium
1 - 1
FIFA World Cup 2026
19-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio Azteca
1 - 0
Matchday 3
FIFA World Cup 2026
25-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio BBVA
v
FIFA World Cup 2026
25-06-2026 01:00 locationEstadio Azteca
v

Group A

Rank Teams Played Won Drawn Lost Goal difference For Against Next Match
1 Mexico 2 2 0 0 3 3 0
2 Korea Republic 2 1 0 1 0 2 2
3 Czech Republic 2 0 1 1 -1 2 3
4 South Africa 2 0 1 1 -2 1 3
 
Knockout
 
Possible knockout

 

==================

World Cup 2026 Group D: Squad announcements

National Teams 2026

USA

The United States has announced a 26-player selection for the World Cup under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Five members of the group are based at English clubs, including Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson. The squad also features Brenden Aaronson, Chris Richards, and Haji Wright. Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Giovanni Reyna is included despite his controversial situation around the previous World Cup cycle. The USA will begin their Group D fixtures against Paraguay on 13 June, followed by meetings with Australia and Turkey.

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution).
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), and Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), and Alejandro Zendejas (Club America).
Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City).

Paraguay

Paraguay has qualified for the tournament after finishing in sixth place in CONMEBOL qualifying, securing the final automatic spot. It will be their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso, and Diego Gomez are among the notable inclusions in the squad. The team also includes players from English clubs such as Omar Alderete and Gustavo Caballero. They open their Group D campaign against hosts USA on 13 June before facing Turkey and Australia.

Goalkeepers: Roberto Junior Fernandez (Cerro Porteño), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), and Gaston Olveira (Olimpia).
Defenders: Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Junior Alonso (Atletico Mineiro), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio), Juan Jose Caceres (Dinamo Moscow), Jose Canale (Lanus), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), and Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteno).
Midfielders: Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Diego Gomez (Brighton), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras), Brian Ojeda (Orlando City), and Alejandro Romero (Al Ain).
Forwards: Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Isidro Pitta (Bragantino), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras).

Australia

Australia’s squad has been named by Tony Popovic, with some late additions included after strong performances in the lead-up to the tournament. Tete Yengi and Cristian Volpato are among the newer faces despite not being previously capped. Martin Boyle misses out on selection. Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie are set to feature in a record-equalling fourth World Cup appearance. Their tournament begins with a match against Turkey on 14 June, followed by fixtures versus Paraguay and the United States.

Goalkeepers: Ryan (Levante), Izzo (Randers), Beach (Melbourne City).
Defenders: Behich (Melbourne City), Bos (Feyenoord), Burgess (Swansea City), Circati (Parma), Degenek (APOEL), Geria (Albirex Niigata), Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Italiano (Grazer), Souttar (Leicester City), and Trewin (New York City).
Midfielders: Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Irvine (St. Pauli), Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Okon-Englster (Sydney), and O’Neill (New York City).
Forwards: Irankunda (Watford), Leckie (Melbourne City), Mabil (Castellón), Toure (Norwich City), Velupilly (Melbourne City), Volpato (Sassuolo), and Yengi (Livingston/Machida Zelvia).

Turkey

Turkey’s 26-man squad includes Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler after his standout European campaign, where he contributed goals and assists for his club. Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and Brighton defender Ferdi Kadioglu are also part of the group. The squad is led by Vincenzo Montella and features several players from major European clubs. Turkey begins their Group D schedule against Australia on 14 June, then plays Paraguay and the United States later in the group stage.

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbahce), and Ugurcan Cakir (Galatasaray).
Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Galatasaray), Caglar Soyuncu (Fenerbahce), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli Saudi), Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Caykur Rizespor), and Zeki Celik (AS Roma).
Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan), Ismail Yuksek (Fenerbahce), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas), and Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards: Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gul (Porto), Irfan Can Kahveci (Kasimpasa), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce), Oguz Aydin (Fenerbahce), and Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray).

World Cup 2026 Group B: Squad announcements

National Teams 2026

Canada

Head coach Jesse Marsch has selected a 26-player group for the tournament, describing it as the strongest selection the country has ever brought together. Alphonso Davies was included despite not being fully recovered from a hamstring issue, while Jonathan David also features in the squad. Stephen Eustaquio, Tajon Buchanan, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Cyle Larin are among the other notable names chosen. Davies is racing to reach full condition ahead of Canada’s first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June. Canada will play all group matches at home.

Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami), Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), and Owen Goodman (Crystal Palace).
Defenders: Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Derek Cornelius (Marseille), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire), Luc de Fougerolles (Fulham), Moise Bombito (Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough).
Midfielders: Stephen Eustaquio (Porto), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (Los Angeles FC), Ali Ahmed (Norwich City), Nathan Saliba (Anderlecht), Liam Millar (Hull City), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Jacob Shaffelburg (Toronto), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto).
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal), Promise David (Union SG).

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Edin Džeko has been named in the squad despite being 40 years old, and he continues to add to a long international career with 148 appearances and 73 goals. Bosnia and Herzegovina were the first nation to publish their 26-man list for the tournament. The team is placed in a group alongside Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. Their squad also includes players spread across clubs in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and other European leagues.

Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (St Pauli), Martin Zlomislic (Rijeka), Osman Hadzikic (Slaven Belupo).
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Nihad Mujakic (Gaziantep), Nikola Katic (Schalke 04), Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljic (Rijeka), Dennis Hadzikadunic (Sampdoria), Nidal Celik (Lens).
Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull City), Ivan Sunjic (Pafos), Ivan Basic (Astana), Dzenis Burnic (Karlsruher SC), Ermin Mahmic (Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby), Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigovic (Young Boys), Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg), and Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic (VfB Stuttgart), Jovo Lukic (Universitatea Cluj), Samed Bazdar (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Haris Tabakovic (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Edin Dzeko (Schalke 04).

Qatar

Coach Julen Lopetegui has selected Almoez Ali as part of his attacking options for the tournament, while Akram Afif is also included in the squad. Veteran forward Sebastian Soria was not chosen, despite his long record for the national team. Lopetegui’s selection includes players from several domestic clubs, with a strong emphasis on forward options.

Goalkeepers: Salah Zakaria (Al-Duhail), Mahmoud Abunada (Al Rayyan), and Meshaal Barsham (Al-Sadd).
Defenders: Hashmi Hussein (Al Arabi), Ayoub Alawi (Al Gharafa), Boualem Khoukhi (Al-Sadd), Pedro Miguel (Al-Sadd), Issa Laaye (Al Arabi), Lucas Mendes (Al-Wakrah), Sultan Al-Brake (Al-Duhail), Homam Al-Amin (Cultural Leonesa).
Midfielders: Mohammed Al-Manai (Al Shamal), Jassem Jaber (Al Arabi), Karim Boudiaf (Al-Duhail), Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Assim Madibo (Al-Wakrah).
Forwards: Tahseen Mohammed (Al-Duhail), Edmilson Junior (Al-Duhail), Almoez Ali (Al-Duhail), Akram Afif (Al-Sadd), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Youssef Abdulrazzaq (Al-Wakrah), Ahmed Alaa (Al Rayyan), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al-Sadd), Ahmed Al-Janahi (Al Gharafa).

Switzerland

Granit Xhaka has been selected for his fourth consecutive World Cup appearance as part of Switzerland’s 26-player squad. The team includes a mix of experienced figures and players returning from recent injury spells or limited club involvement. Seventeen members of the group were also present at the previous World Cup. Switzerland will face Qatar in their opening group match before meeting Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada.

Goalkeepers: Marvin Keller (Young Boys), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient).
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Luca Jaquez (VfB Stuttgart), Miro Muheim (Hamburg), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz).
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Djibril Sow (Sevilla), Ruben Vargas (Sevilla), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Denis Zakaria (Monaco).
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel Embolo (Stade Rennais), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds United).