2026 World Cup rosters could be expanded from 26 to 30

The upcoming friendlies against Georgia and Bulgaria are more than just warm-up matches—they’re the final audition for a handful of Spanish players hoping to punch their ticket to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Marcos Llorente, Dani Vivian, Pablo Barrios, Aleix García, Jesús Rodríguez, Jorge de Frutos, and Borja Iglesias are all vying for a spot on the 26-man squad that head coach Luis de la Fuente will announce on May 29 at 6 PM EST, just one week after La Liga wraps up.

Injuries to key players have opened the door for late contenders to make their case. With the tournament kicking off on June 11 and running for a full month under sweltering heat and humidity, depth will be crucial.

FIFA considering expanding rosters to 30 players

FIFA is currently evaluating a proposal to expand national team rosters from 26 to 30 players. The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 nations and a staggering 104 matches. With the tournament growing in both scale and duration, expanding squad sizes could allow deserving players—who might otherwise be left out—to join the ride.

In Spain’s case, one such player is Matías Fernández-Pardo, the electrifying 20-year-old Spanish-Belgian winger from Lille. Though he’s yet to break into the senior squad, Belgium has reportedly offered him a spot on their World Cup roster. If Spain wants to secure his future, all it would take is a single minute of official play to lock him in—effectively blocking Belgium’s claim. But the reverse could also happen if Spain hesitates...

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