Africa-Press – Lesotho. FIFA has officially set the deadlines for national team coaches, with federations given until May 11, 2026, to submit an expanded list of 55 players.
This initial pool will allow for a broad search before entering the final phase of preparation.
The final decision will be made on May 30, 2026, the deadline for confirming the official list of 26 selected players.
With just a few days before kickoff, coaches will have to make tough decisions and cut more than half of their preliminary roster to keep only the elite players.
These deadlines impose a demanding schedule on the coaching staffs, who will need to assess the players’ fitness levels immediately after the conclusion of the European leagues.
