FIFA has announced a new pre-game ceremony for the World Cup that will see all the players included in a matchday squad line up around the centre circle before the national anthems are played. The ceremony will also include extra-large country flag banners and the players will enter the pitch through a dedicated arch closest to the tunnel. FIFA’s new approach to the pre-match ceremony means that even the substitutes will be lining up on the pitch before the game kicks off. More from @Dan_Sheldon_ FREE READ ⬇️ nyti.ms/4uTzTNz

FIFA has announced a new pre-match ceremony for World Cup fixtures that will involve all the players included in a matchday squad line up around the centre circle before the national anthems are played. Full story @TheAthleticFC: nytimes.com/athletic/7334063…

Exclusive @TheAthleticFC FIFA make last-gasp change to World Cup stadium rules: BANNING fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles, so fans must buy water in stadia As of May, empty bottles permitted so fans could refill amid heat concerns. Not now nytimes.com/athletic/7331461…

World Cup fixtures could face lengthy delays if they are interrupted by severe weather conditions as FIFA does not have a cut-off point in its regulations for calling a match off. According to U.S. thunderstorm protocol, a fixture taking place at a stadium must be immediately suspended if lightning or electrical discharge is detected within an eight-mile radius of the venue. The players are led off the pitch and must take shelter in their dressing room, while fans are evacuated to safe areas inside the venue. Once a lightning strike has been detected within eight miles, then a 30-minute countdown clock begins. And if this time passes without any further strikes, then the match can resume. However, if there is another lightning strike during that 30-minute window, then the clock is reset to zero, and it will continue to be reset until 30 minutes pass without a detected strike. Although FIFA is not responsible for U.S. thunderstorm protocol, nor can they override it, this could lead to World Cup fixtures being delayed for hours. More from @Dan_Sheldon_ FREE READ ⬇️ nyti.ms/4oeFwU4

World Cup fixtures could face lengthy delays if they are interrupted by severe weather conditions as FIFA does not have a cut-off point in its regulations for calling a match off. Full story @TheAthleticFC: nytimes.com/athletic/7330220…

England’s players are relying on the same wearable fitness trackers worn by Rory McIlroy, Patrick Mahomes and others as they try to maximise their recovery at the World Cup — and they will be wearing them during the matches. Full story @TheAthleticFC: nytimes.com/athletic/7329981…

England’s players are out training at their community session in West Palm Beach. #ThreeLions @TheAthleticFC

Mauricio Pochettino and other national team head coaches have been given the green light to use laptops to provide their players with tactical instructions during water breaks at the World Cup. USMNT coach Pochettino took advantage of the first of two three-minute breaks during a friendly match against Senegal on Sunday by gathering his players around a MacBook screen in the dugout. Full story from @Dan_Sheldon_ — free to read ⬇️ bit.ly/4nYwLx6

New: Mauricio Pochettino and other national team head coaches can use laptops to provide tactical instructions during hydration breaks at the World Cup – but players will have to remain on the pitch. Full story @TheAthleticFC: nytimes.com/athletic/7325090…

England's squad for the 2026 World Cup... thoughts? 🔗 nyti.ms/4tLw63z