What’s behind those giant flags in World Cup pregame ceremonies? All the details
.JPG "Team introductions and national anthems before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Florida on June 27.")
By now, if you have been watching the World Cup, you surely have noticed that FIFA revamped the pregame ceremonies. Unlike tournaments of the past, all players, not just starters, face each other at the center circle during the national anthems, which is visible to all parts of the stadium.
Also, the ceremony features gigantic flags of the two nations playing that day stretched out over almost the entire field.
How big are those flags, you ask? Really big!
They measure 172 feet by 124 feet, or 21,328 square feet, and it takes approximately 70 volunteers to display each banner during the pregame ceremonies.
A complex logistics plan is in place to transport the banners, by air and ground, to ensure they are in the market they need to be in for their next matches. In fact, there are two sets of banners for each country, so while one set is being used during a game, the other set is already in transit to the next potential venue.
For example, one set of flag banners for Argentina and Cape Verde were in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium for Friday’s game while the other set was already en route to Atlanta, where the winner of this match would play next in the Round of 16.
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“Having all the players and referees face each other in the center 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,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This new pre-match ceremony reflects that.”
For matches on the Fourth of July, United States’ Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary, FIFA will celebrate with special pregame programming at Round of 16 matches in Philadelphia and Houston.
To commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Philadelphia’s celebration will include a national anthem performance by Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel, a special performance of “America the Beautiful” by the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, a musical performance by The Roots, and the the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop band founded in Philadelphia.
There also will be a flyover by the VFA-11 and VFA-81 squadrons from the Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach.
Houston Stadium’s pregame celebration will also commemorate Independence Day and will include a national anthem performance by U.S. Navy Band Chief Musician Maia Rodriguez.
This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 4:04 PM.