The 2026 World Cup: Record number of players and clubs represented

From New Zealand to Norway, the 2026 World Cup promises to be the most international tournament ever, with a record 48 countries participating. Following the latest squad announcements, we now know that 1,248 players have been called up and are ready to bring the tournament to life (with the caveat that injured players can be replaced up to 24 hours before the kick-off of the first match).

With young teens and seasoned veterans taking the field alongside icons of the game, it's a roster that offers something for everyone.

The Athletic provides an overview of the composition of these squads and some notable facts to increase the excitement ahead of the matches.

The scope of the tournament extends even further when we look at where the players play their club football, with 449 clubs represented from 71 countries. Among these clubs, it is mainly the most established teams that provide the largest contingents.

Premier League club Manchester City leads the list with 19 selected players from 12 countries. The top five clubs are generally recognized as the best in club football, including both Champions League finalists: winner Paris Saint-Germain and runner-up Arsenal, each sending 16 players to the tournament.

But there is one notable absence at the top of the list. Real Madrid, winners of a record 15 European titles, would normally sit comfortably among these illustrious companies. Instead, it finds itself alongside clubs such as PSV Eindhoven and Slavia Prague, with 10 players in the tournament. They lag behind their city rivals Atletico Madrid, Saudi club Al-Hilal, and Crystal Palace — the club that finished 15th in the Premier League last season (and let's not forget they won a European trophy). It is remarkable that no Real Madrid player was selected for the Spanish selection.

As the richest league in football, with a reputation for attracting talent from all over the world, the Premier League provides the most entries with 154 players — 60 more than the Bundesliga, its nearest rival.

A total of 200 players come from clubs in the English football pyramid, including New Zealander Tommy Smith, who played for sixth division club Braintree Town last season.

The top five leagues represented are the five European leagues collectively known as the big five, a designation that largely reflects their competitive strength. Behind this is the Saudi Pro League, with 47 players, a league that has invested heavily since the last World Cup to attract top talent to the Middle East.

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