A record 1,248 players representing 48 nations are on the final World Cup rosters released by FIFA on Tuesday.
The rosters include Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico, who will be competing in the World Cup for a record sixth time.
Of the players in 104 matches in Canada, the United States and Mexico, 357 have competed in at least one previous World Cup while about 891 players are in the event for the first time.
The rosters reflect a wide range of ages, with more than 25 years separating the oldest and youngest player. Scotland's Craig Gordon is 43 years, 162 days old. Mexico's Gilberto Mora is 17 years, 240 days old as one of 22 players in the field younger than 20. Seven players are 40 or older.
Four nations — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — are competing in the World Cup for the first time.
According to FIFA regulations, replacements to the rosters are permitted only due to serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s first match. Any exceptions must be approved by FIFA.
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi dribbles during a friendly soccer match against Zambia in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello, File)
FILE - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying soccer match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)
TORONTO (AP) — Canada is calling on the United States and Mexico to renew the free trade agreement between the countries for another 16 years just as U.S. President Donald Trump revives talk of making Canada the 51st state.
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for U.S. trade, sent a letter Tuesday to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard conveying Canada’s recommendation.
“The Agreement is highly beneficial to each of our countries and to the integrated North American economy,” LeBlanc wrote.
The letter comes ahead of the scheduled July review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the latest iteration of a North American free-trade pact that has intertwined the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada since the early 1990s.
LeBlanc and Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Janice Charette, are in Washington on Tuesday for a meeting with Greer. LeBlanc has previously warned the free trade agreement could be subject to annual reviews and that uncertainty could be the objective of the Trump administration.
On Monday, Trump posted “51st State!” on social media linking to a news article reporting that Canada is falling into a technical recession. The post was later reposted by U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra.
“I can’t believe I have to say this again, but Canada will never be the 51st state. Canada is not for sale,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted in response on Tuesday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged some weakness in the country's economy as he walked into Cabinet on Tuesday. Carney said the U.S. has about 30 different trade irritants with Canada compared to nearly 60 with Mexico.
The U.S. could withdraw from the agreement with six months notice. There could be annual reviews going forward or it can be renewed for another 16 years.
“There is a possibility of a new partnership there,” Carney said.
The USMCA has allowed Canada and Mexico to avoid much of Trump’s protectionist measures because many Mexican and Canadian goods are covered by the free trade agreement. But there are some key specific tariffs on things like aluminum that are damaging the integrated North American economy.
Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state has infuriated Canadians, who have been canceling trips to the U.S. in big numbers.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, one of the Democratic Party’s leading presidential prospects, said Trump has tried to destroy the relationship with America’s northern neighbor with “chaotic tariffs and mindless cruelty.” Pritzker made the comments in a zoom call with Democrats Abroad on Tuesday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney makes an address at the Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries annual defense industry trade show CANSEC, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
