FIFA confirm major World Cup change which will impact every game

The 2026 World Cup will feature a significant change to how national anthems are handled at the tournament following an announcement from FIFA.

The tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time in history, with 12 groups of four and a round of 32.

A record total of 104 games will take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada - the first time three countries have jointly hosted a World Cup.

There are a raft of new rules and regulations for the tournament, ranging from the laws of the game on the pitch and the fact that there will be hydration breaks due to extreme heat and high temperatures.

How will the new World Cup ceremony play out?

However, FIFA has also confirmed a major change to how things will play out prior to all 104 games.

National anthems for both teams will remain a key part of the pre-match ceremony but at the World Cup, all 26 players in a nation's squad will be on the pitch as the song plays.

Both matchday squads, alongside the officials, will all stand around the centre circle together as part of a "360-degree concept", which includes huge country flag banners which cover a significant part of the pitch.

The 15 players not in the starting XI are more involved instead of being stood off the pitch near the dugout.

An image of how the World Cup pre-match ceremony will look. Image: FIFA

Announcing the new approach, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: "As the FIFA World Cup grows, we continue to innovate the way the game is experienced. The pre-match ceremonies 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 addition, we will have a redesigned 360-degree ceremony which engages every fan in the stadium, including country flag banners and on-pitch elements oriented to create a unique, immersive experience from every seat as well as new visual elements – from player entry arches to handheld flags – poised to heighten the sense of anticipation, with enhanced features for selected matches.

"The FIFA World Cup is about every player and every fan, and this new pre-match ceremony reflects that."

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Following the pre-match ceremony, handshakes between the players will take place before the coin toss involving captains to get the game underway.

Though the FIFA Club World Cup included individual player walk-outs, that will not be the case this summer.

There will be a half-time show at the final featuring both Shakira and Madonna, with three different opening ceremonies also taking place.

In Mexico, Shakira and Burna Boy will perform the World Cup anthem for the first game of the tournament against South Africa on June 11.

Toronto will have proud Canadians Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette, with Los Angeles treated to a performance from Katy Perry and Future on June 12.