The wait is nearly over. With the World Cup fast approaching, all 48 participating national teams have officially submitted their squads — and soccer fans across the United States, including right here in El Paso, finally have the full picture of who will be taking the stage on the sport's biggest platform.
This is the first World Cup to feature an expanded 48-team format, meaning more nations than ever before have earned their shot at glory. That also means more rosters to comb through, more stories to follow, and — inevitably — more high-profile omissions that have fans and pundits talking around the world.
For American soccer fans, the spotlight naturally falls on the United States Men's National Team. As a co-host nation alongside Canada and Mexico, the USMNT enters the tournament with massive expectations and the rare luxury of home-crowd advantage across multiple venues. The full squad announcement gave fans a chance to see exactly which players head coach Gregg Berhalter — or whoever leads the side — has trusted to carry the nation's hopes in front of a home audience.
Beyond the USMNT, eyes are also on some of the traditional powerhouses. Squads from Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Germany, and Spain have all been released, each generating their own wave of debate. The expanded format has allowed some smaller soccer nations to punch their way onto the global stage for the first time, which is part of what makes this World Cup feel genuinely historic.
High-profile omissions are always part of the drama. Every cycle, established stars find themselves left off rosters due to injuries, form issues, or tactical decisions — and 2026 is proving to be no different. Those snubs have sparked passionate conversations on social media and in sports bars from coast to coast.
For the local El Paso soccer community, this is a moment of real excitement. The region sits at a unique cultural crossroads — deeply connected to both the United States and Mexico — meaning fans here have a special rooting interest in not just the USMNT, but also El Tri as Mexico co-hosts and competes for a deep tournament run. With several World Cup matches set to be played on U.S. soil, the energy in border communities like El Paso is particularly electric.
The full squad lists give fans everything they need to start building their bracket predictions, picking their favorite players to watch, and debating the tactical decisions their coaches have made. With 48 teams, 48 dreams, and the world watching, the conversation is just getting started.
- All 48 World Cup national team squads have been officially announced
- Notable high-profile omissions are already generating debate globally
- The USMNT, as a co-host nation, is among the most closely watched sides
- Mexico's squad is also drawing major attention from El Paso's binational fan base
- The expanded 48-team format makes this the largest World Cup in history
Stay tuned to El Paso Soccer News as we break down the key squads, analyze the bold selections, and get you ready for what promises to be the most exciting World Cup ever played.