The 2026 World Cup will begin in less than a month, yet FIFA still has a number of organizational decisions that have yet to be made. One of the most discussed changes concerns the pre-match ceremonies.
According to sources, the governing body of world football will abandon the NBA-style player entrances that were first tested during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, reports World Soccer Talk.
Typically, players from both teams enter the tunnel together, accompanied by the officiating crew and mascots. This classic FIFA format was temporarily suspended during the tests at the Club World Cup.
The Club World Cup, held in the USA, served as a testing ground for several innovations, including the so-called "NBA-style entrances."
In this format, each player was introduced individually: they would enter the field from the tunnel while the announcer called their name over the stadium, instead of the traditional appearance of the entire team at once.
However, according to sources, FIFA has decided against fully implementing such a format at the 2026 World Cup. The organization continues to explore alternative ways to present players, aiming to maintain a balance between spectacle and the traditional structure of pre-match ceremonies.
Although the idea previously generated significant interest among viewers, officials reportedly deemed it impractical for a World Cup that is set to feature a record number of 104 matches throughout the tournament.
FIFA is considering new options for team entrances that will highlight the players but will not fully replicate the NBA format and will not lead to delays before the start of matches.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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