World Cup 2026: Establishing Numerous Historic Milestones

A key highlight is that two superstars, Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, will both play in their sixth World Cup, becoming among the rare few to reach this historic milestone. Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is also making his sixth World Cup appearance.

In addition to familiar faces, the 2026 World Cup will witness the debut of national teams from Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan.

The tournament will open on June 11 and run through July 19 across three co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. A total of 104 matches will be held, the highest number ever in a World Cup.

According to FIFA, 357 players have previously taken part in at least one World Cup, while 891 players will experience football’s most prestigious tournament for the first time. In terms of age, Scotland’s goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the oldest at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s midfielder Gilberto Mora is the youngest at just 17 years and 240 days.

The squad list also highlights generational diversity, with 22 players under 20 and 7 players aged 40 or older competing in the 2026 World Cup, reflecting the blend of experience and youth at a tournament expected to set many new records in world football.