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There has a last-minute change to how teams their national anthems at the 2026 World Cup. FIFA, the organization that the World Cup, the change last week. It said that for the first time in World Cup history, all of the players in the squads will onto the pitch to sing their anthem. FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the change to the national anthem ceremony. He said: "As the FIFA World Cup , we continue to innovate the way the game is experienced. The pre-match ceremonies... will no different." He added: "The FIFA World Cup about every player and every fan and this new pre-match ceremony that."

FIFA said more players will a role in adding to the pre-match atmosphere. In the new ceremony, all squad members will around the centre circle and their national anthem. Mr Infantino said: "Having all players and referees each other in the centre circle during the national anthems will a moment of unity, pride, and emotion that truly to the teams and to everyone in the stadium." Other parts of the pre-game ceremony unchanged. Team captains will still in the coin toss and exchange pennants with the opposing captain. Another tradition for the 2026 tournament is players from each team hands with players from the other team.