June 5, 2026
New York New Jersey Stadium (temporarily renamed from MetLife stadium) is seen from the inside ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 7, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
By Enitan Abdultawab
FIFA has announced a revised pre-match ceremony format for the 2026 World Cup that will now involve every player listed in a matchday squad, instead of only the starting eleven.
Traditionally, only the starting players from both teams line up at the centre of the pitch before kickoff. However, all selected players will now walk onto the pitch through a dedicated arch alongside youth escorts before gathering around the centre circle for the national anthems.
