The FIFA World Cup 2022 is nearing, and all the qualifier matches are completed, with thirty-two teams entering the World Cup. It is the most popular sports event in the world, with billions of fans across the globe. This will be the 22nd edition of the World Cup since its start in 1930 and will be hosted by Qatar.
Also Read: 1.2 Million Tickets Sold for 2022 FIFA World Cup, Organizers Say
The International Federation of Association Football or FIFA has recently announced that countries can have up to twenty-six players in their national team. It will be a significant change in the football games across the world. The international governing body of football announced in a statement, “The number of players to be included on the final list has been increased to at least 23 and a maximum of 26.”
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities Revealed, Across The USA, Canada, and Mexico
The Federation reached this decision of expanding the squads for, “the need to retain additional flexibility due to the unique timing and broader context of the disruptive effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on the squads before and during tournaments.” National teams of various countries had only twenty-three players in their crew since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 to be Co-Hosted by 3 Different Countries for the First Time in History
FIFA Increases Squads From 23 to 26 Players for The 2022 World Cup
Football’s rules body IFAB approved the permanent use of five players as substitutes for top-level games. Now a team can have eleven on-field players and fifteen substitutes instead of twelve. FIFA also stated, “ No more than 26 people will be allowed to sit on the team bench,” for the World Cup.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: First Look at the Eight World Cup Stadiums
