Soccer fans looking to bring the party to World Cup games will have to go without vuvuzelas, ​with FIFA banning the plastic horns from venues ‌in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in its stadium code of conduct.

Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, ​are a staple of South African soccer matches ​and took the world by storm at the ⁠2010 World Cup in South Africa. But they have ​drawn criticism over their monotonous droning sound, often likened ​to a swarm of bees

Along with vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are prohibited from all 16 World ​Cup venues, according to FIFA’s stadium code of ​conduct.

Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are ‌also banned.

The list of prohibited items and behaviours goes on to state that body paint and body tattoos do not constitute clothing. Streaking, flashing or removing clothing to ​reveal intimate ​body parts is ⁠also prohibited.

FIFA has also banned spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into venues, citing ​safety concerns.

Attendees who violate the rules can be ​refused ⁠entry or removed from the stadium, the code says.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada and ⁠Mexico, ​runs from June 11 to ​July 19. Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa on June ​11.

-Reuters

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France brushed aside concerns after suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat by Côte d’Ivoire in a World Cup warm-up match on Thursday, insisting the setback would serve ​as a useful reminder rather than a cause for alarm ahead of ‌the tournament.

Didier Deschamps’ side led through a superb first-half goal from Rayan Cherki but were overrun after the break as Guela Doue and Amad Diallo turned the game around for the Elephants in ​Nantes.

With France opening their World Cup campaign against Senegal in New York on ​June 16, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said the result should be viewed in ⁠the context of preparations rather than as a warning sign.

“It’s a pity to lose ​but we’re in a preparation phase; we stay confident,” Tchouameni said.

“There is no conclusion to ​draw from this game, even if we had won it. We will be ready.”

France fielded an experimental side, with several Paris Saint-Germain players rested after last weekend’s Champions League final triumph, and ​made numerous changes after halftime.

Defender Lucas Hernandez also played down the significance of the ​defeat.

“We always want to win, but we’re in a phase of preparation, and there were a lot ‌of substitutions,” Hernandez said.

“We’re in good spirits.”

Deschamps, however, admitted his side had lost control of the contest after an encouraging opening 45 minutes and warned that France would face opponents with similar qualities in the United States.

“A defeat is never pleasant, even if we did ​some good things in ​the first half,” ⁠Deschamps said.

“In the second half, we made a lot of changes, but that’s no excuse. We were not as good after the ​break, and they brought a lot of pace.

“We will face the ​same type ⁠of team on June 16.”

The French coach said the result could prove useful if it prevented his players from becoming complacent before the tournament.

“It’s a reminder, if we needed one, ⁠not to ​think we’re better than we are,” he said, with ​Cherki adding: “It’s a little warning, and I can tell you we’re not going to the World Cup thinking ​we’re favourites, but we’re going to crush everyone.”

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

FIFA has announced a groundbreaking redesign of its pre-match ceremonies for the FIFA World Cup 2026, introducing a fan-focused spectacle that will place the entire matchday squad at the heart of the tournament’s opening rituals.

The new concept, unveiled on Thursday by world football’s governing body, aims to create a more immersive and inclusive experience for supporters while highlighting every player selected for a match, not just the starting line-up.

Set to debut at the expanded 48-team tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the revamped ceremony will feature a 360-degree stadium presentation designed to engage fans from every seat in the arena.

Under the new format, players will enter the pitch through dedicated arches located near their respective tunnels, accompanied by youth programme escorts. Giant country flag banners, handheld national flags and specially designed on-pitch elements will transform the stadium into a colourful showcase of national pride.

One of the most significant changes is that all members of the matchday squad, including substitutes, will gather around a central banner in the centre circle during the national anthems. This marks a departure from previous tournaments where only the starting XI participated in the anthem line-up.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the innovation reflects the organisation’s commitment to enhancing the World Cup experience for both players and fans.

“As the FIFA World Cup grows, we continue to innovate the way the game is experienced,” Infantino said.

“Having all players and referees face each other in the centre circle during the national anthems will create a moment of unity, pride and emotion that truly belongs to the teams and to everyone in the stadium. The FIFA World Cup is about every player and every fan, and this new pre-match ceremony reflects that.”

Following the national anthems, traditional matchday rituals will continue, including team photographs, handshakes between players and officials, and the captains’ coin toss.

FIFA also revealed that selected matches later in the tournament will feature enhanced visual effects, including coloured smoke and pyrotechnics, to further heighten the atmosphere.

The ceremony has been developed around music from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, with organisers aiming to create a unique emotional connection between supporters and participants before kick-off.

In addition, FIFA’s commercial partners—including adidas, Coca-Cola, Kia, Mengniu, Qatar Airways and Quaker—will have integrated branding opportunities within the youth programme and players’ tunnel areas.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations. FIFA believes the new pre-match ceremony will provide a memorable and emotionally charged opening to every game as the competition ushers in a new era of fan engagement.

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