FIFA has confirmed a major change to one of football’s most symbolic pre-match rituals, announcing that all 26 members of each squad at the 2026 World Cup will stand on the pitch for the national anthems.

Traditionally, only the starting XI have lined up on the field, with substitutes and backroom staff positioned on the touchline. The new protocol will bring every player into the spotlight before kick-off, underlining FIFA’s push to make the expanded tournament feel more inclusive and theatrical.

The change will debut at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Instead of facing the main stand in a straight line, players from both teams will gather around the centre circle. The starting XI and the 15 substitutes will form two arcs on either side, with match officials also included in the formation.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino framed the move as part of a broader effort to reshape the matchday experience. He described the new anthem layout as a moment of unity, pride and emotion designed to belong as much to the players themselves as to the fans in the stadium and watching around the world.

The anthem change is one of several innovations planned for what will be the biggest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. FIFA has already signalled a more entertainment-driven approach, including a Super Bowl-style half-time show for the final, with global music stars expected to perform.

The tournament will also open with three separate ceremonies, one in each host nation, reflecting the tri-country staging. Each ceremony will blend football with major musical acts, underscoring FIFA’s ambition to position the World Cup as a month-long cultural event as much as a sporting competition.

On the field, refereeing and timekeeping will be tightened. VAR will be used more extensively, including checks for corners and second yellow cards. New time limits will be imposed on restarts such as goal kicks and throw-ins, and each half will include a three-minute drinks break, formalising a practice that has previously been applied only in extreme conditions.

Together, these changes signal a World Cup that aims to be bigger, faster and more immersive, with the anthem ceremony recast as a central shared moment for every player in every squad.