The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has announced a major revamp to the pre-match ceremony format for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
In a significant departure from tradition, the new routine will involve every single player named in a matchday squad, rather than just the starting line-ups.
Under the new arrangement, all players from both teams will walk onto the pitch through a dedicated arch alongside youth escorts, before assembling around the centre circle for the national anthems while large national flag banners are displayed on either side of the pitch.
In an official statement, the world football governing body explained that the initiative is designed to allow every selected player to fully share in the experience of representing their country on the sport’s biggest stage.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, emphasized this sentiment on Thursday, stating, “The FIFA World Cup is about every player and every fan, and this new pre-match ceremony reflects that.”
Infantino added that having all players and referees face one another during the national anthems would create “a moment of unity, pride and emotion.”
This ceremonial shift comes at a historic juncture for the tournament, which is already set to break new ground in terms of scale.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19.
It will also mark the first time the tournament features an expanded 48-team format, up from the traditional 32 teams, making the inclusive pre-match ceremony a fitting celebration for the largest World Cup in history.
