Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Manchester City Sends Record 19 Players to World Cup 2026 as Panama Brings Oldest Squad
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3

Manchester City Sends Record 19 Players to World Cup 2026 as Panama Brings Oldest Squad

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3

Summary

  • All 48 World Cup squads are now confirmed, with Manchester City supplying a tournament-high 19 players across 12 countries and Arsenal next on 16.
  • Spain stand out as the only squad drawn entirely from Europe’s top five leagues, while Curacao, Iran, Iraq and Qatar have no players who featured in those leagues this season.
  • Panama arrive with the oldest squad, ahead of Iran and Colombia, while Cristiano Ronaldo — 41 — is the oldest outfield player and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, the oldest overall.
  • Ivory Coast bring the youngest squad, and Mexico midfielder Gilberto Mora will be the youngest player at 17 years and 240 days.
  • The squad breakdown highlights how club pipelines, league strength and age profiles could shape the 2026 tournament before kickoff next week.

Insights

With a record 19 players from one club, will Man City's chemistry help or hinder the 12 nations they represent?
With record prize money and a new 48-team format, is FIFA prioritizing profit over the quality of World Cup competition?
As a 43-year-old keeper and 17-year-old forward take the field, is football's traditional career timeline now obsolete?