Mexico
Mexico has announced their squad for the upcoming tournament as they prepare to co-host the competition with the United States and Canada. Guillermo Ochoa is set to be part of a sixth World Cup selection, placing him alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have also been picked for a sixth finals appearance. Head coach Javier Aguirre, taking charge of his third World Cup after previous editions in 2002 and 2010, leads a group featuring both experienced and emerging players. The team will open against South Africa, followed by matches against South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna).
Defenders: Jorge Sanchez (PAOK), Israel Reyes (Club America), Cesar Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Johan Vasquez (Genoa), Jesus Gallardo (Toluca), and Mateo Chavez (AZ).
Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens), Alvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Luis Romo (Guadalajara), Edson Alvarez (West Ham), Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid), Gilberto Mora (Tijuana), and Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow).
Forwards: Cesar Huerta (Anderlecht), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Guillermo Martinez (UNAM), Armando Gonzalez (Guadalajara), Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan), and Raul Jimenez (Fulham).
South Africa
South Africa returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010, when they were hosts, and are now led by Belgian coach Hugo Broos, who will retire after the tournament. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is the only British-based player in the squad, while most of the group competes in the domestic league. The squad includes several uncapped players as well as Broos, who previously featured at the 1986 World Cup as a player for Belgium. South Africa begins their campaign against Mexico and then faces the Czech Republic and South Korea.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, and Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi and Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena and Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela).
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, and Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners and Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol).
South Korea
South Korea has named a squad featuring captain Son Heung-min, who is set for his fourth World Cup appearance, alongside experienced Europe-based players such as Kim Min-jae and Hwang Hee-chan. The group also includes several British-based midfielders and Paris St. Germain’s Lee Kang-in, while Jens Castrop becomes the first player of dual heritage to be included after switching allegiance from Germany. Coach Hong Myung-bo has selected an experienced blend with players competing across Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk).
Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), and Cho Wi-je (Jeonbuk).
Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris St-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves).
Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besitkas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland).
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic returned to the World Cup for their first appearance since 2006, with Tomáš Souček the most experienced member of the squad on 89 caps. Head coach Miroslav Koubek has selected a group heavily influenced by reigning domestic champions Slavia Prague, alongside several players based in Germany, England, and other European leagues. The team begins its campaign against South Korea before facing South Africa and co-hosts Mexico. At 17, Hugo Sochurek is the youngest player in the squad.
Goalkeepers: Lukas Hornicek (Braga), Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven), and Jindrich Stanek (Slavia Prague).
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Hoffenheim), Stepan Chaloupek (Slavia Prague), David Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague).
Midfielders: Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Vladimir Darida (Hradec Kralove), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (Slavia Prague), Hugo Sochurek (Sparta Prague), Alexandr Sojka (Viktoria Plzen), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Olympique Lyonnais), and Denis Visinsky (Viktoria Plzen).
Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Hoffenheim), Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen).