All you need to know about squad lists and substitutions

• FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar on 20 November

• FIFA will publish the 32 final squad lists on 15 November

• Between 23 and 26 players allowed on lists

From deadlines to the number of players permitted and changes to the substitution limit, all the information you’ll ever need about the publication of the final squad lists for Qatar 2022 is right here.

The 32 teams competing in the tournament must submit their squad lists to FIFA by 14 November at the latest, i.e. one week before the start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. In fact, several national-team coaches have already stated their intention to announce their lists a few days before the deadline. In this category are Didier Deschamps (France), who will unveil the players set to travel to Doha on 9 November. Roberto Martinez (Belgium), Aliou Cisse (Senegal) and Rigobert Song (Cameroon) may also reveal their choices at the beginning of November. FIFA will officially publish the 32 lists on 15 November.

While at previous World Cups the squads were restricted to 23 players, the Bureau of the FIFA Council recently approved an increase to a maximum of 26 players per team, to be selected from a release list of 55 names (versus 35 at Russia 2018). This decision to increase the number of players on the provisional and final lists is related to, among other things, the knock-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to the unique timing – November and December – of Qatar 2022.

The squad list for Qatar 2022 must include three goalkeepers. There are no restrictions or stipulations regarding the number of defenders, midfielders or forwards.

Clubs must release any players included in squad lists by 14 November at the latest. The 32 teams must arrive in Qatar five days prior to the start of their opening match at the latest.

If one of the players initially included in a squad list picks up an injury or contracts COVID-19, he may be replaced up to the day before the relevant team’s first match. In this situation, new call-ups do not necessarily have to feature on the 55-man release list. Any new player will be allocated the number of the player he is replacing in the squad.

Up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials (i.e. a maximum of 26 people) – one of whom must be the team doctor – will be allowed to sit on the team bench during matches at Qatar 2022.

During matches, coaches will be able to make five substitutions (versus three at Russia 2018). This decision was permanently approved by IFAB at its 136th Annual General Meeting in June.

The numbers displayed on players’ jerseys must correspond to those indicated on the squad lists (from 1 to 26).