New rules, team records, Shakira and Anitta: check out the latest news from the World Cup The World Cup starts this Thursday (11) with lots of new features on and off the field. The path to lifting the cup just got longer. Now, the champion will have to play eight times. The longest World Cup in history is full of firsts. The first with 48 teams and 12 groups; with 104 games. The first with three host countries. The distances, the time zone, the different climates. A huge logistical challenge. 📱Bookmark g1 on Google and follow the main news of the day FIFA went after researchers to develop a lawn that behaves the same way in different weather conditions. He went from the University of Tennessee to the 16 World Cup stadiums. And the new pitch is already being tested - as at the Brazilian team's training center in New Jersey. This way, players will get used to it. They will also have to adapt to new rules to get the ball rolling even further on the field. Everything to reduce the wax. In the throw-in or goal kick, if it is messed up, the referee will count to five. When the deadline ends, the full-back passes to the opposing team; and the goal kick becomes a corner. The replacement will have a timer: 10 seconds. Anyone receiving medical care on the field, if it is not something more serious, will need to wait a minute outside the game to return. Really stop, just for hydration. For the first time, it will be mandatory. At 22 minutes of each half, three minutes to relieve the heat. New rules, team records, Shakira and Anitta: check out the latest news from the World Cup National Newspaper/ Reproduction FIFA wants more games and more parties too. The traditional opening party is already guaranteed. A celebration worthy of the Azteca stadium in Mexico. Shakira is ready. The singer says she is excited to unite the two worlds: football and music. And look who will be at the opening show in the United States, in Los Angeles: Anitta. Each selection will also have its official song. And in the World Cup final, another new feature: the halftime show, which will be led by the Queen of Pop, Madonna. So prepare the sofa and popcorn: the show is almost starting. GloboPop: click to see videos from the Jornal Nacional stage READ ALSO Home of Jornal Nacional at the World Cup is in the heart of Manhattan Island, in New York Discover Globo’s latest coverage of the 2026 World Cup Special series on the essence of Brazilian football highlights the talent of our players JN series on the virtues of the only five-time champion team in the world highlights the race of the Brazilian player Last chapter of JN's special series exalts the creativity of Brazilian players Carlo Ancelotti's path to the Brazilian national team is full of achievements; get to know