Overview
- FIFA confirmed final 26‑player rosters on Tuesday, locking in a record 1,248 players across 48 nations for the tournament that begins on June 11.
- A series of new Laws of the Game will be applied at the World Cup, including expanded VAR intervention (second yellow cards and certain set‑piece fouls), mandated three‑minute hydration breaks, and strict timing rules for throw‑ins, substitutions and players leaving the field in protest.
- Teams are completing warm‑up friendlies and fitness checks while FIFA allows injury replacements up to 24 hours before each side’s opening match; South Korea has already made a late roster change after an injury in a pre‑tournament friendly.
- Early forecasts and betting markets put Spain as the frontrunner to win, with Opta simulations and DraftKings odds ranking them above France, England and defending champions Argentina.
- Off the field, state investigations into FIFA ticketing practices and last‑minute broadcast arrangements remain active concerns that could affect fan access and perceptions during the tournament.