There are few more difficult tasks in world football than picking a World Cup team. For years, managers watch form, fitness, tactical balance, and dressing room chemistry and whittle down a large talent pool to a tournament list. A single decision can get a nation short on defensive cover, no replacement striker, or overloaded with midfield.

That pressure is where squad rules come into play. If you're a fan looking to place your wagers during the ongoing 2026 World Cup, you can compare your teams with World Cup comparison tool from SportyTrader and gain valuable insight, as squad depth can be taken into consideration alongside rankings, market value, experience, recent form, attacking output, defensive record, World Cup history, fan base and betting odds.

But the process of those squads hasn't remained unchanged. From the traditional 22-man model to the 23-man model, the short-term 26-player model at Qatar 2022 and the upcoming flexible 2026 model, they have come a long way. This guide will tell you how and why.

The classic era: Establishing the 22-player standard (1934-1998)

The more flexible early years of the competition were followed by the adoption of the 22-player squad, the format recognised since the 1934 World Cup. This standard lasted for over 60 years, from 1934 through to France 1998 inclusive, before FIFA expanded squads to 23 players for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The reasoning was straightforward. A team of 22 provided a starting X1 and, in theory, one off-bench player for each position. It also ensured that travelling parties were kept down to manageable size. In days gone by there was less international travel and less accommodation and medical facilities. Equally as important, it meant that all countries were provided with the same structure to balance the need for competitive fairness with the practical tournament organisation.

A new millennium, a new rule: The arrival of the 23-man squad (2002-2018)

The 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea marked a departure from previous World Cup tournaments, as final teams were increased to 23 players. The additional place was primarily to accommodate a third goal keeper.

Why? Risk management. In cases where a team was down one goalkeeper due to injury and another due to suspension/illness, an outfield player could be forced into goal. The 23-man rule dampened that possibility, but didn't alter the size or nature of the national teams. It was the new standard for the number of players that World Cup squad selection normally entailed from 2002 to 2018.

The pandemic anomaly: Why the Qatar 2022 World Cup featured 26-player squads

The 23-player rule was a significant exception at Qatar 2022. FIFA permitted squads of up to 26 players for Qatar 2022, citing two official reasons: the exceptionally late calendar slot (November-December, mid-season for most clubs) and the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on team availability and player welfare.

For one, teams had to be insured in the event of a player contracting COVID-19 during the event. Second, managers had to deal with fatigued players, having a packed domestic and international schedule. Tactical planning also had to change because of the 26-man rule for the World Cup. Coaches could have additional specialists, cover more positions, and add younger players for tournament experience and players that are not at 100% to play.

Looking ahead to 2026: A return to 23 or a new normal?

The prevailing official line is that the number in the World Cup 2026 team won't be as small as the pre-pandemic one. Under FIFA rules, each team is allowed to declare 23-26 players, of which three are goalkeepers. The confirmed 48-team tournament will see far more players, overall, than any men's previous World Cup.

This is because the expectation that all 23 players would return has been reduced. The debate pre-dating the decision was whether bigger squads provided coaches with useful flexibility, or if they resulted in bloated travelling groups. FIFA's thinking is in line with today's realities: a tournament of 104 matches, extended travel itineraries worldwide, more demanding workloads for players and the necessity to safeguard their welfare, while maintaining open FIFA tournament regulations. In reality, Qatar 2022 rules for squads are 2026 standard.

Evolution at a glance: World Cup squad sizes through history

Football rule evolution demonstrates that when the tournament environment evolves, so too do the squads. Although it is a football decision, but FIFA's boundaries set the playing area for any manager.