What constitutes a remarkable World Cup photograph? The answers vary widely. Aspects like composition, emotional resonance, newsworthiness, impeccable timing, and a touch of luck all play a role in crafting these artistic snapshots. However, they share a common trait: the power to captivate audiences.
The sports photography team has received over 500,000 images from the World Cup in the past six weeks, showcasing an array of iconic moments. Here, I present my personal selections from this tournament, with appreciation for the skilled photographers behind these images and a nod to England.
Messi’s Cathedral
This breathtaking image sets the tone perfectly! It showcases the expansive Kansas City Stadium enveloping a small patch of grass where the world’s most famous footballer stands solitary. Although it might not be immediately obvious that it’s Lionel Messi, his presence is unmistakable. The crowd seems to focus entirely on him, revering him like a deity in a grand football cathedral.
Goalline Scramble
Technological innovations have enabled the use of high-quality miniature remote-operated cameras positioned inside goalmouths. Experiencing the game from such close quarters adds an exhilarating dynamic. This particular shot captures a chaotic scramble between Brazil and Japan, with a tilted angle that amplifies the frenetic energy.
Tuchel’s Close-Up
This self-referential choice highlights a pivotal moment: England’s opening match against Croatia. Frustrated by his inability to see his players during the national anthem, England manager Thomas Tuchel urged FIFA to adjust the photographers’ positions for future matches. His exasperation is understandable given the circumstances. Shortly afterward, Tuchel found himself in the headlines again as his substitutions during the semi-final against Argentina contributed to England’s exit.
Balogun Sees Red
What initially appears to be a minor incident reveals a more serious outcome as Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle twists awkwardly due to Folarin Balogun’s ill-timed tackle. Although replays showed the foul was unintentional, Muharemovic was fortunate to avoid severe injury. After a VAR review, Balogun received a red card, but FIFA later lifted his one-game suspension following intervention from Donald Trump. Reinstated, Balogun witnessed the USA’s elimination by Belgium in the next round.
Tartan Trauma
The World Cup has provided numerous candid shots from the tunnels, revealing players’ authentic selves when the spotlight fades. This particular image of Scotland’s Findlay Curtis and Jack Hendry captures their disappointment after a crushing 3-0 defeat to Brazil, a loss that sealed Scotland’s early departure. They appear as if awaiting a reprimand outside a principal’s office.
A diving header can be a magnificent sight, and Jude Bellingham’s against Mexico certainly qualifies. Such shots are rare during the Premier League season, making them feel fresh and exhilarating in the context of a major tournament. The elevated angle eliminates distractions and offers a genuine fan’s perspective of the goal. The lush green pitch, the vibrant pink goalkeeper’s jersey, and the palpable excitement as the ball approaches the line evoke memories of a signed photo of Coventry’s Keith Houchen from the 1987 FA Cup final that adorns my father’s office wall.
Bruno’s Early Bath
With hydration breaks and Powerade in abundance, only one player emerged looking as though he had just taken a dip in a lake: Brazil’s Bruno Guimarães. This image captures him refreshing himself with water during their opening match against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium. Ultimately, Brazil faced an early exit after being defeated by Norway in the round of 16.
Viking Row Boat
Norway’s fans mesmerized audiences with their synchronized rowing displays this summer, which went viral. From Times Square to Miami Beach, these performances became a beloved part of the team’s post-match celebrations, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard joining in as they advanced to the quarter-finals. Though their journey ended against England, it stood out as one of the tournament’s most uplifting stories.
The afternoon sunlight casts a beautiful glow on the pitch, creating deep shadows around it. Such low-key lighting conditions make a photographer’s job easier. The image captures Kylian Mbappé gracefully navigating the field in his striking blue France jersey, adding a vibrant splash of color and presence to the scene.
Tunnel Vision
Luka Modric has previously expressed his desire to honor his people and carry the memories of his grandfather, Luka. In this photo, he appears deep in thought before facing Panama. It could be a fleeting moment of introspection or a reminder of his challenging origins and the family member he shares a name with.
Loving Vozinha
At the age of 40, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha emerged as a breakout star at this World Cup, following an extensive club career in Cyprus, Moldova, Portugal, and Slovakia. His incredible saves against Spain in the group stage earned him international acclaim and 17 million Instagram followers. A standout performance against Argentina, where he famously denied Messi’s quick free-kick, further solidified his reputation. This image captures his expression as he basks in the crowd’s admiration after the Blue Sharks secured a commendable goalless draw with Spain.
Gaza Screening
This photo embodies the unifying power of football while offering perspective on the World Cup. Palestinian residents in Gaza, despite facing tremendous loss, gathered among the ruins of their homes to witness a screening of Egypt’s match against Argentina. It provided a fleeting moment of normalcy amid widespread devastation.
Erling Haaland’s first goal against Brazil left his former Premier League rival, Gabriel Magalhães, in shock. The image captures droplets of water—or sweat—flying from the striker’s forehead as he strains to connect with the ball. Haaland netted seven goals across five World Cup matches, showcasing his versatility by scoring with both feet, his head, and from various ranges. Notably, Norway remains undefeated against Brazil in five encounters, a unique claim among nations.
Lamine Yamal’s Braces
This image, taken as part of FIFA’s official player portraits before the tournament, deserves special recognition. Lamine Yamal, who recently turned 19, proudly wears braces. The photo was captured with a Canon R5 Mark II camera, boasting an impressive 45 megapixels, likely leading to a significant crop during post-production for this composition.
Into Orbit
Some penalty misses resonate more deeply than others. Jonathan Tah of Germany and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji both experienced their own Chris Waddle moments, sending their attempts soaring over the bar. Typically, one might want to see the crossbar in such shots to signify a miss, yet the image of the ball rocketing upward—almost as if it could breach the stadium roof—eloquently conveys the story.
Neymar’s Tears
Even the mightiest ego can sometimes seek solace. This poignant photograph captures Neymar Jr.’s visible distress as he comprehends that his international career has reached its conclusion, along with his dreams of lifting the World Cup. Teammate Raphinha offers support during this emotional moment. While it may not evoke the same humility as Freddie Flintoff comforting Brett Lee in the Ashes or Derek Redmond being aided by his father at the 1992 Olympics, it still carries a powerful emotional weight.
Upside Down
This image was inverted by Getty Images before being transmitted to us. Such manipulation feels almost sacrilegious in photojournalism, yet I find it intriguing. It captures Julián Alvarez celebrating his late goal against Switzerland, prompting a reevaluation of foundational photographic principles. Would I publish it in a newspaper in this format? Certainly not. But for an online gallery showcasing captivating images from this summer, it certainly fits the bill.
Big Screen
The stadiums across the US are astonishing in their size. Atlanta Stadium, home to the NFL’s Falcons and the city’s MLS and NWSL teams, can accommodate up to 75,000 spectators, featuring a climate-controlled environment and a 335-meter “halo” display. This image from the upper levels perfectly captures the grandeur. Initially, I assumed the camera was remote-controlled, but it turns out some photographers were actually positioned in the gantry. What a breathtaking view they enjoyed!
Motion Blur
This photograph exemplifies the art of employing a slow shutter speed while gently panning with the action. I particularly appreciate the details: Anthony Elanga’s focused expression and the pink boots creating a painterly effect.
Heroic Harry
Harry Kane’s late goals against the Democratic Republic of Congo stirred a wave of emotion from the England captain. I faced a tough choice between various frames—each featuring him sprinting alongside Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon—but this one, capturing him embraced by Bellingham, perfectly encapsulates their shared heroics throughout the tournament. It’s a clean, well-composed image radiating camaraderie.
Gómez Goes Berserk
The emotional rollercoaster of penalty shootouts always yields captivating images. This year, Gustavo Gómez of Paraguay stands out for his exuberant reaction. After scoring his own penalty and clinching victory over Germany in sudden death, Gómez surged across the pitch like a heron taking flight, nearly leaping over teammates José Canale and Orlando Gill to celebrate with them. He even dashed through the photographers behind the goal, grabbing a mobile phone to document the moment himself.
Living Statue
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, is referred to as a “living statue” because he remains motionless during matches. Instead, the DRC supporter poses on a pedestal throughout the game, raising his right arm to mimic the statue of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the First Congolese Republic, located in Kinshasa. It baffles me why anyone would attend a football match and not engage with the action, yet Mboladinga insists it is his patriotic duty.
Senegal Swan Dive
Youri Tielemans netted twice during Belgium’s remarkable comeback against Senegal. His 89th-minute header may have been more challenging to control had defender Moussa Niakhaté not theatrically flopped to the ground at the first hint of contact. The advantage of modern cameras, many capable of shooting 30 frames per second, allowed us to capture the entire sequence of this goal, enabling us to select the precise moment of Tielemans’s header.
Comeback King
Sasa Kalajdzic triumphed over three anterior cruciate ligament injuries leading up to the 2026 World Cup and celebrated a remarkable moment when he scored a 96th-minute equalizer against Algeria, keeping his team in the tournament. The game sparked accusations of match-fixing, as a 3-3 draw allowed both teams to advance, yet a finale like this—and the ensuing celebrations—could not be scripted.
Football, Bloody Hell
Australia’s Connor Metcalfe required three stitches in his eyebrow after being clipped by a stray boot from Andrés Cubas during the Socceroos’ group match against Paraguay. Perhaps it’s the slumped shoulders or his shirt pulled up around his neckline, but he resembles a forlorn child in need of care.
Big Dan Burn
This might appear to be just another “two men and a ball” photograph, a term coined by the Guardian’s photographer, Tom Jenkins, to describe generic sports images. However, I appreciate this one for the juxtaposition of athleticism—the acrobat against the brick wall—and the misshapen ball that seems on the verge of bursting. Dan Burn has become a cult figure for England, reminiscent of Peter Crouch. While many fans affectionately refer to the 6ft 7in defender as Big Dan Burn, Bellingham reportedly calls him Burninho. Raúl Jiménez, the Mexican striker, had no chance of getting past him.
Koné’s Injury Pain
Ismaël Koné’s expression says it all. The Canada midfielder had just suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg following a challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who received a red card and a five-match suspension. As a photo editor, one must balance the need for decency and newsworthiness when publishing such images (I still feel haunted by the uncensored photos of Eduardo’s broken leg in 2008). This image effectively communicates the seriousness of the incident without being overly graphic. Koné left the pitch on a stretcher but managed to wave to the fans as he departed.
Crowd Scene
This photograph’s composition is both simple and stunning. The interplay of intersecting diagonals, the contrast between light and shadow, and the depth of the scene all contribute to a visually rich experience.
Emotional Messi
Let’s be honest: Lionel Messi has struggled with penalties. He has missed four out of eight attempts in World Cup matches and 34 out of 151 throughout his career, including shootouts. A failed attempt against Egypt, during which the African team initially took a 2-0 lead, could have signaled a tragic end to his illustrious international career. However, Messi did what he does best: he equalized and propelled his team to an extraordinary 3-2 victory in regular time. This image, captured post-match, reflects the immense pressure he bears. Is he feeling relief or guilt? Either way, he appears burdened by expectations.
Cubarsi’s Cartwheel
Usually, I would opt for a celebration photograph from the World Cup final among my favorites, but this ‘tackle’ by Enzo Fernández was so egregious—and Pau Cubarsi’s airborne reaction so striking—that I couldn’t overlook it. An otherwise dull final sprang to life at this moment. Cubarsi rose from the ground to claim the title of ‘best young player’ of the tournament and, more importantly, a World Cup winner’s medal.
