Race to 2026 FIFA World Cup gathers pace
Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to feature 48 teams and kick off on June 12 in Mexico. Teams including France and Japan are preparing their squads, while new rules and concerns about extreme heat impact arise.
Key Points
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and begins on June 12 in Mexico.
- France announced a star-studded 26-member squad, with Didier Deschamps managing his last tournament as head coach.
- Japan's squad will miss key winger Kaoru Mitoma due to injury but remains strong with Europe-based players.
- New FIFA rule amendments will be enforced during the tournament, and extreme heat poses concerns for player and fan safety.
- Teams like Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, and others are releasing their squads ahead of FIFA's official announcement.
