Infantino reveals that Del Piero was behind the change to World Cup walk-outs

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has revealed that Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero was the man behind the idea to change the walk-outs at the World Cup to involve all 26 members of the squad rather than just the starting 11.

A number of changes to the laws of the game have been implemented at the 2026 World Cup in North America, some of which have been well received, others less so.

One of the changes that has gone down fairly well across the board is the decision for all 26 squad members to walk out onto the pitch before matches and take part in the singing of the national anthems, rather than just the starting 11.

This is a change that allows all members of the squad to ‘have their moment’, to feel part of the team, especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

Infantino, speaking at a recent press conference, has revealed that this change in procedure was originally suggested to him by former Juventus and Italy star Del Piero.

“For the first time, all of the players, a total of 26 players, will be on the pitch. There will be huge flags and the national anthems will be heard with enormous flags and with the whole team out on the pitch,” Infantino began.

“Where did that come from? Well, as you know, we always want to do new things, and we thought it had to be something American, business, I don’t know, showtime. No. This was born out of a conversation I had with Alessandro Del Piero.

“Alessandro Del Piero a few months ago told me: ‘Why don’t you start bringing all of the players out onto the pitch during the anthem?’. I said ‘Why?’. ‘Because we’re all part of the same team’.”

Infantino continued: “I don’t know if it’s because the goal he scored, one of the most beautiful World Cup goals, Italy’s goal for 2-0 against Germany in Dortmund in the 2006 World Cup, he came off the bench and scored this incredible goal. I don’t know if that’s the reason why he said it, but he said we’re all part of the same team.

“I thought he was right, so we started to discuss it all together and during a World Cup, all the players might not play, so it’s about making them feel part of this very emotional moment during the national anthems. I believe this is something positive for all of the players, for the supporters.”