While every player dreams of featuring at a World Cup, only so many get the chance.
For Qatar 2022, competition for spots is as fierce as ever with many squads open for fringe players to stake their claim with club football not stopping until a week before the tournament.
FIFA have also tweaked their rules when it comes to squad size for the 2022 World Cup and it’s good news for both players and managers.
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World Cup squad size for Qatar
For the 2022 World Cup, each team is allowed to submit a final squad consisting of up to 26 players.
This is an increase on the 23 that could be named for Russia in 2018.
Preliminary squad lists have also been expanded from 35 to 55 players, with these names then eligible to be picked for the final roster.
FIFA have noted their changes to squad size is the result of the unique timing of the 2022 World Cup and the ongoing disruptive impact of COVID-19.
How many players can be on the bench for the World Cup?
FIFA have ruled that up to 15 substitutes are allowed on the bench for 2022 World Cup games.
Once again, this is an increase on previous World Cups where only 12 substitutes could be named.
No more than 26 people will be allowed in the technical area of a team on match day with 11 places reserved for team officials like the doctor.
How many substitutions are allowed at the World Cup?
With bigger squads, come more players managers will be hoping to use in Qatar.
FIFA have approved for up to five substitutions to be used each game – up from the three which was allowed in Russia.
This increase was first seen at club level in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 and has been embraced ever since.
While five substitutions can be made, only three breaks for substitutes are allowed for each team but this does not include changes made when the game is already paused such as at half-time.
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