Overview
- FIFA, which signaled Wednesday it will scrap solo, NBA-style walkouts for the 2026 tournament, is moving to a new pre-match entry format.
- The alternative now on trial aims to highlight every player without individual introductions or a return to the old tunnel routine.
- Last summer’s Club World Cup experiment in the United States produced big moments, including a thunderous reception for Lionel Messi in Miami.
- Tournament staff flagged a key drawback of solo entries as late kick-offs, since announcing each player stretched tightly timed match schedules.
- FIFA previously approved three-minute drinks breaks in each half with TV ad windows, and it is still finalizing pre-match protocols for games in the United States, Mexico and Canada.