World Cup 2026 squads take shape as major nations name rosters — Salah and Mané included

Who, what, when and why it matters: National teams across the globe have begun naming their squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with prominent players such as Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Senegal's Sadio Mané included in their countries' selections, Sky Sports reports on May 21, 2026. These announcements set the stage for international preparations and will influence how managers finalise tactics and squad roles ahead of the summer tournament.

Why it matters

The first wave of squad announcements gives a clear picture of which experienced stars and emerging talents managers trust for the World Cup. For clubs, confirmed selections affect pre-season planning and player availability, while for supporters the lists crystallise expectations about each nation's chances. Having high-profile names like Salah and Mané named confirms those players will be central to their national teams' attacking plans, assuming they remain fit.

Key inclusions from the initial lists

Sky Sports' roundup of World Cup 2026 squad lists highlights selections across many of the tournament's major participants. Among the notable names explicitly referenced in the source are Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, each named in their national squads. The Sky Sports piece covers a broad range of countries — including traditional powers and other qualifiers — as they publish their rosters in the lead-up to the competition.

• Mohamed Salah named in Egypt's World Cup 2026 squad (source: Sky Sports Football).
• Sadio Mané named in Senegal's World Cup 2026 squad (source: Sky Sports Football).
• Sky Sports has aggregated squad announcements from multiple countries as they finalise selections ahead of the summer tournament (published 21 May 2026).

What the early squads tell us about tournament preparations

Early squad announcements are often a mix of established internationals and players rewarded for recent form. Managers use these lists to lock down their core groups, begin specialised training camps, and plan friendlies and tactical work. For fans and analysts, the named squads start debates about group-stage outcomes and the depth available to each nation.

What happens next

Between now and the tournament, managers may still face selection headaches from injuries or loss of form; national teams usually have procedures for replacements if required. Clubs and national associations will coordinate player release and preparation schedules. Readers should consult the full Sky Sports squad roundup and official national association announcements for complete lists, shirt numbers and final confirmations.

Final note: This story is derived from a Sky Sports Football compilation of World Cup 2026 squad announcements dated 21 May 2026. The source provides a broad summary of which countries have published squads and highlights named players; for complete squad lists and further details please refer to the original Sky Sports article and the relevant national team communications.