With the first match of the 2026 World Cup, at the Azteca Stadium (Mexico City), the teams of Mexico and South Africa will debut a new protocol for entering the field and playing anthems, according to Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA.
“For the first time, all 26 players [de cada time] will come to the field, with huge flags, and the anthems will be played with the entire team on the field”, he warns.
Previously, only the 11 starters participated in the playing of the anthem on the field.
“Having all the players and referees meet in the center circle will create a moment of unity and emotion that belongs to everyone,” says Infantino. “The World Cup is about all the players and fans, and this new ceremony reflects that.”
According to the FIFA official, the idea came from a conversation with former Italian player Alessandro del Piero. “One day he said to me: why not put all the players on the field? We are all on the same team.”
Infantino even joked that Del Piero’s idea must have been due to some trauma in 2006, when he scored a goal in Dortmund, in Italy’s victory against Germany in the semi-final. On that occasion, the attacker came off the bench, and was therefore not on the field for the Italian anthem.
Infantino also praised the “blessed” Azteca, who this Thursday (11) will be the stage for the opening match of the World Cup for the third time in history. “It’s the only stadium with three opening games, it’s a football cathedral, and it’s definitely blessed by the football gods.”
He remembered his father when talking about the exploits that took place at the stadium, which hosted the first World Cup in the country in 1970. “I was very proud of the result of the Italian team, but also of Pelé’s incredible Brazil”, said the Swiss-Italian, mentioning that Rivellino will be at the stadium to participate in a tribute to the team that was three-time champion in the country.
“And in 1986, the same with Diego [Maradona]a unique emotion. We remember Diego’s goal, and the final against Germany. This stadium is blessed,” he said.
‘Better relax’
Infantino also took advantage of the interview to talk about other topics, including Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from entering the United States, the Iranian national team and ticket prices.
“Maybe sometimes it’s better to just relax. We work on everything, we try to resolve everything. Sometimes immediately starting to shout and scream has the opposite effect of finding a solution,” the FIFA chief said.
