FIFA set to drop solo player walkouts for 2026 World Cup, exploring fresh pre-match entry format instead

FIFA set to drop solo player walkouts for 2026 World Cup, exploring fresh pre-match entry format instead

FIFA are set to abandon the single-player walk outs seen at last summer's Club World Cup at the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA trialled the walkout format during last summer's Club World Cup in the United States, copying the trend seen in various America sports leagues.

The concept is to provide additional spotlight on each individual player, though received mix results from traditionalists.

The United States are one of three co-hosts for this summer'sWorld Cup, alongside Mexico and the Canada.

However, thesingle-player walk out is set to be dropped from the pre-match protocol, though FIFA are considering a new form of walk out, that is different from the traditional team entries.

During last summer's tournament, teams could select the order of their walk out, provided the team captain entered the pitch last. Speaking at the time, Chelsea midfielder Romeo Laviasaid he was in favour of the additional 'showbiz'.

“I think it’s something special and new for us,” he told reporters. “It’s a first for us. I enjoyed it. Why not bring it to the Prem (Premier League)?

“It’s a bit of a showbiz thing, isn’t it? I quite like it. The only difference is (if we did it in the Premier League), we might get a bit cold because once you’re out there, you have to wait for maybe the other players. But apart from that, it was good.

“I guess we always learn new things from international tournaments, and that’s what makes it special.”