With six days left until the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced a "unique, immersive experience" to the pre match national anthems.
Previously the starting 11 would walk out the tunnel with a mascot and have the cameras focused on them as their national anthem blared out the speakers.
However, for the first time ever all players involved in the matchday squad will be accompanied by a mascot and given the limelight to sing their national anthem with the cameras on them.
Up to 52 players could be seen singing their national anthem in the centre of the pitch ahead of kick off for all World Cup games this summer.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino proudly explained the decision to make this change due to: “The FIFA World Cup grow[ing], we continue to innovate the way the game is experienced. The pre-match ceremonies at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be no different."
"Having all players and referees face each other in the centre circle during the national anthems will create a moment of unity, pride and emotion that truly belongs to the teams and to everyone in the stadium."
The sentiment behind such a change is to build unity and pride from all 48 nations attending the 2026 World Cup. With 3 nations hosting a World Cup for the first time, it also makes Mexico the most frequent World Cup host, having hosted 2 in 1970 and 1986 before this coming World Cup.
What's Changing Before Kick-Off at World Cup 2026?
With Infantino wanting to increase increase national pride, excitement and anticipation ahead of all World Cup games the change will include pyrotechnics during the later stages of the tournament.
Likened to NFL pre match ceremonies, the added excitement of watching your team play in a huge game will now be heightened with bigger flags and a unified squad showing their pride to play for their country.
"The FIFA World Cup is about every player and every fan, and this new pre-match ceremony reflects that," were the words said by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
As Infantino and FIFA have strived for peace and unity, through their 'complete football ecosystem' rebuild in Gaza which was announced earlier this year.
What Stays the Same in FIFA's New Pre-Match Format?
The procedure itself remains the same, players walk out to sing them national anthems. That will be followed by shaking hands and both captains meeting with the officials to do the coin toss.
The spectacle will be bigger but everything that has been done in previous World Cup's will continue.
The spectacle will be bigger and better then ever with more pyrotechnics, flares and larger flags but the game remains the same with the biggest game in international football becoming bigger.
