World Cup 2026: Why can’t World Cup games kick off on time?

While a minute or two may not matter too much in the grand scheme of things, it will be identified as an area for improvement by Fifa, who meticulously plan every detail of the build-up to games.

Each match has its own dedicated running order, which is made available to the media, listing the exact timings of when – among other things – teams and match officials must assemble in the tunnel, when they enter the pitch and when national anthems are sung.

The information helps broadcasters, particularly those who play commercials, to ensure they don’t miss key pre-game moments.

For example, Haiti and Scotland were due to take to the field precisely eight minutes and 40 seconds before kick-off.

But at that point the Haitian players were not quite ready, with the match feed instead showing them being hurried along by a Fifa official.

By the time both sides eventually left the tunnel, they were already 90 seconds behind.