The 2022 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner with the first match to be played on November 20.
Before the players take the pitch, however, all eyes will be on the managers as they select their squads for the tournament in Qatar.
Who to take and who to leave behind is never an easy decision with players around the world currently trying to impress at club level.
With the World Cup creeping closer, time is running out for players and coaches, with teams close to being locked in.
MORE: Which nations have qualified for Qatar 2022?
When are World Cup squads announced?
All 32 participating nations have two key deadlines to meet when it comes to sharing official squad lists:
- Friday, Oct. 21: Release list of 35-55 players (four GKs)
- Mon, Nov. 14: Final list of 26 players (three GKs) by 19:00 CET (13:00 ET)
- Tues, Nov. 15: Final lists for all 32 teams will be published by FIFA
Most national teams are expected to announce their World Cup squad in the four weeks before the tournament starts. Some nations could make two separate announcements: one for their 55-man release list, and another for their 26-player final list.
Each country will manage their official announcement on their own timeline as long as they meet the official FIFA deadlines of submitting an expanded release list by Friday, October 21 and a final 26-man squad by Monday, November 14.
It’s been reported by The Telegraph that Gareth Southgate will name the final England squad on October 21. The United States 26-man roster will be announced at an event in New York City on November 9.
Expect most other nations to confirm their squads in between these two dates with a couple of stragglers potentially waiting until the final weekend.
When is the deadline for World Cup squads?
The 55-player release list must be submitted to FIFA by Friday, October 21. FIFA will not publish these lists and it is up to each nation to make them public.
All 32 teams must submit to FIFA their final 26-player squads for the World Cup by Monday, November 14. FIFA will make these final lists public the next day, on November 15.
Given the possibility of injury or COVID-19 infections, each team is able to replace players up to 24 hours before their first match.
Any potential replacement has to come from a nation’s initial release list of players which FIFA recently increased from 35 to 55.
MORE: When are leagues stopping for the World Cup?
World Cup squad sizes in 2022?
Finalised World Cup squads in 2022 can consist of no more than 26 players.
This is an increase from 23-player squad sizes for previous tournaments and it gives teams extra flexibility given the World Cup is taking place in the middle of an extra congested European club season. It also helps in the case of potential COVID-19 cases.
Teams are also now allowed to have up to 15 players on their bench for matches with a maximum of five substitutions allowed to be made during a game.
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