[Getty Images]
[Getty Images]

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that the 2026 North America World Cup introduced a pre-match ceremony for the first time in history — one in which all players line up on the pitch to sing their national anthems — and that the idea came from Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero.

Infantino shared his thoughts on social media Sunday, writing: "Everyone together, all of us, and the goosebumps are real. The flag rises and the anthem rings out. Pride, embrace, passion, ultimate focus — all at the center of the world, right there in the middle of the pitch."

Alongside the post, he shared footage from the official pre-tournament press conference held June 10, in which he announced: "For the first time in history, all 26 players will take to the field, and giant national flags will be unfurled."

"The entire squad will be lined up on the pitch with those giant flags as the anthem plays," he said. "We always want to try something new. We felt it had to be something American — business, you know, something like showtime."

[Getty Images]
[Getty Images]

The idea traces back to a conversation with Del Piero, the Italian football icon.

Months earlier, Del Piero suggested to Infantino: "Why not have all the players on the pitch while the anthem is played? Because we are all part of the same team."

Infantino speculated that Del Piero may have had personal reasons for the suggestion. "I don't know if he said that because, at the 2006 Germany World Cup in Dortmund against Germany, he came on as a substitute to score one of the most stunning goals in World Cup history — Italy's 2-0 clincher," he said.

"I thought he was right, and so we all started discussing it together," Infantino said. "Every player has a chance of playing during the World Cup. So it is important that they feel part of the team during this very emotional moment when the anthem is played."

Under the new format, players gather in a circle around the center spot as large flag banners for each competing nation are spread across the pitch. Both the starting lineup and substitutes take to the field for the introductions and anthem, with each player carrying a national flag as they walk out.

"True team spirit means being united before the game even begins," Infantino said. "This new ceremony before World Cup matches is a small revolution, but at the same time it delivers a powerful emotional impact."

"It happened the moment it was said," he added. "Del Piero, thank you so much. You have been a great inspiration to me."

“월드컵 혼문 지켰다”…이재, 잔디 보호 위해 드레스에 운동화 착용 화제

“월드컵 혼문 지켰다”…이재, 잔디 보호 위해 드레스에 운동화 착용 화제

[헤럴드경제=최원혁 기자] 가수 겸 작곡가 이재가 2026 북중미 월드컵 개막식 무대에서 공식 주제가를 불러 화제를 모은 가운데, 그의 운동화에도 눈길이 쏠렸다. 지난 12
https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10771764

ygmoon@heraldcorp.com