The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is officially on, and national teams are starting to finalize their rosters. Who's making the cut? Who's left waiting? Here's your first look at the squads already named for the biggest tournament in football.

This Friday marked a major milestone as three powerhouse nations—Ivory Coast, Belgium, and Japan—unveiled their official World Cup squads. Each selection brings its own storylines and surprises.

For Ivory Coast, the biggest headline is the return of Nicolas Pepe. The winger, who had been at odds with the Ivorian federation since being left out of AFCON 2025, has been called up by head coach Emerse Faé. It's a dramatic reconciliation that adds firepower to an already talented squad. Also making the trip is Elye Wahi, the rising star who recently secured an Ivorian passport, giving the Elephants another exciting attacking option.

With more nations set to announce their rosters in the coming weeks, this is just the beginning of the 2026 World Cup squad carousel. Stay tuned as we track every call-up, every surprise, and every player fighting for their spot on the plane.