World Cup Squads Confirmed: What Are the Biggest Surprises?

All 48 2026 FIFA World Cup nations have announced their 26-man squads for this summer’s tournament in North America.

Several star names were left behind, while a few players can count their lucky stars for being included. Here are the biggest World Cup squad surprises.

Ivan Toney (England)

Thomas Tuchel left out a host of superstar names from his 26-man England World Cup squad, including Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire, and Phil Foden. He also added some surprise players to his list, with forgotten man Ivan Toney topping the bill.

Toney has played just a few minutes for Tuchel and has not featured for the national side for a year. However, his presence in attack and outstanding penalty-taking ability have obviously caught Tuchel’s eye.

Jarell Quansah (England)

After leaving Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen, Jarell Quansah’s England career was at a crossroads. However, Quansah had an excellent season in the German Bundesliga, leading to a World Cup pick.

The commanding centre-back only made his senior debut in November last year, helping his nation to a 2-0 away win against Albania. That remains his only Three Lions appearance.

Neymar (Brazil)

Neymar has, without question, been one of the world’s greatest players over the past decade or so, but the former Barcelona man was a surprise addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad. The Santos superstar turned 34 in February, but could he still have something to offer his country?

Several legends have represented the Brazilian national team over the years, and Neymar is certainly one of them. Since making his debut in 2010, the attacker has scored a record 79 goals and made 128 appearances. Unfortunately, Neymar recently picked up an injury, so his game time in North America could be limited.

Craig Gordon (Scotland)

At 43, Scotland’s Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the 2026 World Cup. The Hearts goalkeeper was on the cusp of retiring last summer but will now be a member of the Scottish World Cup squad.

Any 43-year-old going to a major tournament is a shock, especially for a player who made his national debut before many of his teammates were even born. Gordon is a backup stopper for the Scots in North America, but his presence alone could be crucial.

Gio Reyna (United States)

Gio Reyna was a surprise addition to the United States 26-man World Cup squad. Not down to ability, but the fact that he has only played 137 minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach since January.

Many USA fans would have preferred to have seen Tanner Tessmann included. The 24-year-old had a solid season in France with Lyon, playing 29 times in Ligue 1. The decision could come back to bite Mauricio Pochettino.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Even at 41, there is no doubting Cristiano Ronaldo's ability. The Al-Nassr superstar is one of the best players to have ever graced the game, but his best years are behind him. While Ronaldo will always be a hero to the Portugal fans, could his inclusion be holding back some of the younger generation?

Alongside the great Lionel Messi, Ronaldo has featured in five World Cups, with the 2026 edition set to be the pair’s sixth. It will no doubt be Ronaldo’s last, but should Roberto Martinez have opted for youth over experience this summer?

N’Golo Kante (France)

N’Golo Kante is another surprise addition to a 2026 World Cup squad. The 2018 World Cup winner has been a vital cog in France’s midfield machine for a decade, but Kante is now 35 and not the dynamic player he once was.

France are glittered with talent in the midfield area, and the omission of Eduardo Camavinga was a huge surprise. Kante has all the experience in the world, but will his inclusion over Camavinga be Didier Deschamps’ biggest mistake this summer?