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Story summary
- In the U.S.-hosted 2026 World Cup, foreign-born players comprised 25% of squads, up from 16.5% in 2022 to 23% (289 of 1,248).
- Only eight of the 48 teams fielded no foreign-born players, the fewest since expansion to 48.
- FIFA’s new five-year residency rule and cap limit prompted Morocco to scout diaspora talent.
- Australia’s SBS attracted over 4.78 million viewers for the Socceroos’ opener, showing commercial value of culturally diverse squads.
