World Cup teams now stand together for national anthems
A new FIFA tradition requires all 26 squad members to stand on the pitch during the pre-match ceremony.
The ritual of the national anthem at the FIFA World Cup has undergone a significant structural change. While traditionally only the eleven starting players stood on the grass for the pre-match ceremony, the protocol now requires the entire squad to participate. All 26 players from each nation must line up on the field together before the opening whistle.
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