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How was the national anthem played at the opening of the World Cup?
In an unusual sight in the 94-year history of the World Cup, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium saw the introduction of a brand new system by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) from the 2026 edition.
For the first time, the players of the two teams did not line up as usual, but all the team members – the main ones, the reserves and the technical staff – gathered hand in hand in the middle ring of the field to collectively play and sing the national anthem.
It contained the footage that was broadcast on screens around the world Mexican players They completely surrounded the center circle, chanting “Mexicans are crying in war” while the South African team repeated the same scene with the multilingual anthem “Call South Africa” to the applause of the 87,000 spectators.
A FIFA source previously told ESPN that the decision aims to “increase team spirit and equality between starters and substitutes, and transform the national anthem moment from a ceremonial ritual into an all-encompassing human moment.” We no longer want 11 players in the picture and 12 players on the bench. We want a complete team.”
The new system, trialled at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, will be used for all 104 matches at the tournament between the USA, Mexico and Canada and comes as part of a series of changes approved by FIFA for the expanded edition, which will feature 48 teams for the first time.
Reactions were divided, with Mexican fans describing the scene as “exciting and historic” while some European analysts deemed it “too theatrical”, but the image that will remain after the 2026 opener is not a goal or a card, but rather a full circle of players singing for their homeland.
For the first time in the history of the World Cup… FIFA has adopted a new system for playing and singing the national anthem for the teams participating in the match, where all members of the team, including the substitutes, will stand in the middle ring and sing the national anthem 🎵🤩 #WorldCup2026 |: #WorldCup2026 |: #World Cup pic.twitter.com/Cm2BD4h5um
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 11, 2026
