Fan-Centric National Anthem to Debut at All FIFA World Cup Games
- FIFA announced a new pre-match ceremony format for the 2026 World Cup yesterday, bringing the entire matchday squad onto the field rather than just the starting 11 during national anthems.
- Unlike previous World Cups where teams lined up near midfield, every player will now enter through a dedicated arch accompanied by youth escorts, fundamentally reshaping the traditional walkout format.
- A redesigned 360-degree ceremony engages fans with country flag banners covering almost half the pitch, similar to how NFL matches have operated in recent years with immersive visual elements.
- President Gianni Infantino said the format creates "a moment of unity, pride and emotion" for players, allowing every squad member to experience this symbolic moment representing their country.
- The World Cup kicks off next week with the United States, Canada, and Mexico serving as co-hosts from June 11 through July 19, implementing these new ceremonies across all matches.
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The pre-match ceremony at the World Cup is expected to be somewhat different than usual. Six days until the tournament begins. All the latest news about the World Cup can be found in the Stern news blog. In just a few days, the biggest FIFA World Cup of all time will begin. 48 teams will compete for the golden World Cup trophy from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. [...]
Next Thursday the World Cup will start in Mexico, Canada and the USA. This year there will be an innovation at the usual ceremony before the kick-off: for the first time, the substitutes will also be on the pitch.
The World Cup will also be played before the ball rolls. The anthem ceremony, one of the most iconic moments of each game, will have significant changes during the tournament. As FIFA explained, the organization has prepared a renewed staging in which not only the eleven winners of each selection will participate, but also all alternates.
SCAN SPORT - One week before the World Cup kick-off, FIFA presented the pre-game protocol, during which all the staff of the two teams will meet around the center round for the hymns.
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