What distinguishes a remarkable World Cup photograph? This question opens the door to various interpretations. Elements such as composition, emotional resonance, timing, and a touch of serendipity all contribute significantly. However, they share a common ability: they captivate the viewer’s attention.
Throughout the last six weeks, the sports photography team has sifted through over 500,000 images from the World Cup, each reflecting countless unforgettable moments. Here, I share my favorite picks from the tournament, paying tribute to the talented photographers behind them, with a bit of favoritism towards England.
Messi’s Cathedral
We begin with this breathtaking image. It captures the expansive Kansas City Stadium enveloping a small patch of grass, where the world’s most famous footballer stands alone. While it may take a moment to recognize Lionel Messi, his presence is undeniable. It feels as though all eyes are drawn to him, in what resembles a grand homage to a deity in a football cathedral.
Goalline Scramble
Technological advancements have led to the creation of high-quality miniature remote-operated cameras positioned inside goalmouths. Watching the game from such a close vantage point adds an exhilarating dynamic. This particular photograph freezes a chaotic moment between Brazil and Japan, with its tilted angle heightening the sense of urgency.
Tuchel’s Close-Up
This selection may appear self-referential, but it marked a significant news moment: during England’s opening match against Croatia, manager Thomas Tuchel was so frustrated by his obstructed view of the players during the national anthem that he urged FIFA to adjust the placement of photographers in future matches. It’s easy to understand his frustration. Just weeks later, Tuchel again made headlines when questionable substitutions during the semi-final against Argentina led to England’s defeat.
Balogun Sees Red
At first glance, this incident seems innocuous; however, a closer examination reveals Tarik Muharemovic’s right ankle twisting under the impact of Folarin Balogun’s mistimed challenge. Replays suggested the foul was unintentional, and fortunately, the Bosnian escaped with only minor injury. After a VAR review, Balogun received a red card, although FIFA later suspended his one-match ban following intervention from Donald Trump. With Balogun reinstated, the USA was eliminated by Belgium in the next round.
Tartan Trauma
The multitude of photographs taken inside the tunnels during this World Cup have been particularly revealing, showcasing a more intimate side of the players. This candid image of Scotland’s Findlay Curtis and Jack Hendry reflects their mood following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Brazil, which ultimately led to Scotland’s early exit from the tournament. They appear as if they are waiting outside a principal’s office, bracing for a reprimand.
I have a particular appreciation for well-executed diving headers, and Jude Bellingham’s strike against Mexico certainly fits the bill. From a photographic perspective, such moments are rarely captured from tribune positions during the usual Premier League season, adding a distinctive charm during major tournaments. The elevated angle minimizes distractions and provides a genuine fan’s view of the goal. The lush green grass, the vibrant pink goalkeeper’s jersey, and the palpable excitement as the ball hovers near the line all contribute to the shot’s allure, reminiscent of a cherished photograph of Coventry’s Keith Houchen from the 1987 FA Cup final that proudly hangs in my father’s office.
Bruno’s Early Bath
With numerous hydration breaks and countless bottles of Powerade consumed, only one player managed to look as rejuvenated as a Portuguese water dog emerging from a lake. Brazil’s Bruno Guimarães is seen here splashing water over himself during their opening match against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium. Ultimately, Brazil faced an early exit after losing to Norway in the Round of 16.
Viking Row Boat
The viral mass rowing celebrations by Norway’s supporters this summer became a phenomenon, appearing everywhere from Times Square to Miami Beach. These displays became a staple of the team’s post-match festivities, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard enthusiastically beating a fan’s drum as they advanced to the quarter-finals. Although their journey concluded against England, it remains one of the tournament’s uplifting stories.
A beautiful stream of afternoon sunlight illuminates the pitch, enhanced by deep shadows. The lighting conditions are nearly perfect. The photographer simply needed to capture the right exposure and await the perfect moment. The fact that Kylian Mbappé is gliding across the field in his striking blue France kit adds a vibrant splash of color and significance to the composition.
Tunnel Vision
Luka Modric has previously articulated his desire not to disappoint his people and to carry the memories of his grandfather, also named Luka, with him. In this moment, he appears lost in thought before facing Panama. It might be a brief moment of him massaging his temple or visualizing a tackle, or perhaps he is reflecting on his war-torn origins and the family member after whom he was named.
Loving Vozinha
At 40, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha emerged as a standout star in this World Cup. His remarkable saves against Spain in the group stage earned him international acclaim and an Instagram following of 17 million. His exceptional performance against Argentina, notably stopping a quick free-kick from Messi, further solidified his reputation. I admire this photograph capturing his expression as he basks in the crowd’s admiration following the Blue Sharks’ impressive goalless draw with Spain.
Gaza Screening
This image highlights the profound impact of football while placing the World Cup within a larger context. Despite having lost so much, Palestinian residents in Gaza gathered amidst the ruins of their homes to watch Egypt’s match against Argentina. It symbolizes a fleeting moment of normalcy amid the surrounding devastation.
Erling Haaland’s opening goal against Brazil left his former Premier League rival, Gabriel Magalhães, sprawled on the pitch. In this snapshot, droplets of water (or perhaps sweat) fly off the striker’s forehead as he strains to make contact with the ball. Scoring seven goals in five World Cup matches, Haaland displayed his versatility by finding the net from various positions and with both feet as well as his head. Remarkably, Norway has never lost to Brazil in five encounters, a feat unmatched by any other nation.
Lamine Yamal’s Braces
This photograph, taken before the tournament during FIFA’s official player portraits, has recently captured my attention and deserves a mention. Lamine Yamal, who has just turned 19, wears his braces with pride, a rarity among players. Captured with a 24-70mm lens on a Canon R5 Mark II, boasting an impressive 45 megapixels, I suspect this image underwent significant cropping during post-production to achieve its striking composition.
Into Orbit
Some penalty misses are more notable than others. Germany’s Jonathan Tah and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji both experienced their own Chris Waddle moments, sending their attempts soaring over the bar. Typically, I would prefer a shot showing the crossbar to illustrate a miss, but the image of the ball rocketing upwards—almost as if it could breach the stadium roof—effectively conveys the story.
Neymar’s Tears
Even someone with an ego as large as the sun occasionally seeks comfort. This photograph poignantly captures Neymar Jr’s visible sorrow as he confronts the end of his international career and acknowledges that his dream of lifting the World Cup will remain unfulfilled. His teammate Raphina is there to support him. While it may lack the humility of Freddie Flintoff consoling Brett Lee during the Ashes or the stoicism of Derek Redmond being aided by his father at the 1992 Olympics, it still carries a powerful emotional weight.
Upside Down
This photograph was inverted by Getty Images before being sent to us. Such manipulation feels almost sacrilegious in photojournalism, yet I find it fascinating. It depicts Julián Alvarez celebrating his late winner against Switzerland, prompting me to reconsider my foundational beliefs about photography. Would I publish it in a newspaper? Absolutely not. Would I include it in an online gallery of intriguing images from the summer? Undoubtedly, yes.
Big Screen
The stadiums in the U.S. have been astonishingly vast. Atlanta Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the city’s MLS and NWSL teams, accommodates up to 75,000 spectators in a climate-controlled environment, featuring a 335-meter display known as the “halo.” This image, taken from the upper levels, conveys the epic scale of the venue. Initially, I assumed the camera was remote-operated, but it turns out some photographers were actually working from the gantry. What a view they must have had!
Motion Blur
This photograph exemplifies the artistry of a photographer utilizing a slow shutter speed while smoothly panning with the action. I particularly admire the details captured: Anthony Elanga’s facial expression is sharp, and his pink boots leave a painterly trail in the frame.
Heroic Harry
Harry Kane’s late goals against the Democratic Republic of Congo evoked a powerful emotional response from the England captain. I was torn between several frames—many showcased him sprinting across the field, flanked by Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon—but this one, featuring an embrace from Bellingham, perfectly encapsulates their shared heroics during the tournament. The composition is clean, well-balanced, and full of camaraderie.
Gómez Goes Berserk
The guaranteed tension of penalty shootouts always yields remarkable images. This year, Gustavo Gómez of Paraguay stands out for his exuberant reaction. After scoring his own penalty and helping secure victory against Germany in sudden death, Gómez dashed across the pitch like a heron taking flight, nearly vaulting over teammates José Canale and Orlando Gill as he rushed to embrace them. He then sprinted through the photographers behind the goal, chasing a mobile phone to capture the moment for himself.
Living Statue
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, is referred to as a “living statue” due to his unyielding stance during matches. He poses on a pedestal for the entire game, raising his right arm to mimic the statue of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the First Congolese Republic, located in Kinshasa. While I find it perplexing why anyone would attend a football match and refrain from reacting to the on-field action, Mboladinga insists it is his patriotic duty.
Senegal Swan Dive
Youri Tielemans scored twice in Belgium’s remarkable comeback against Senegal in the Round of 32. This header in the 89th minute would have been more difficult to control had defender Moussa Niakhaté contested the ball instead of dramatically collapsing to the ground at the slightest touch. Thanks to modern cameras capturing 30 frames per second, we were able to document the entire sequence of the goal, allowing us to select the precise moment when Tielemans’s head made contact with the ball.
Comeback King
Sasa Kalajdzic triumphed over three anterior cruciate ligament injuries leading up to the 2026 World Cup, and he relished the moment when he netted a 96th-minute equalizer against Algeria, keeping his team in the tournament. Although the resulting 3-3 draw ignited allegations of fixing, as both teams advanced, the thrilling conclusion and celebrations are truly unforgettable.
Football, Bloody Hell
Australia’s Connor Metcalfe required three stitches in his eyebrow after being inadvertently struck by a stray boot from Andrés Cubas during the Socceroos’ group match with Paraguay. Perhaps it’s the slumped shoulders or his shirt pulled up around his neckline, but he resembles a forlorn child in need of a parent’s help.
Big Dan Burn
While this might appear to be just another “two men and a ball” photograph— a term coined by the Guardian’s photographer, Tom Jenkins, for generic sports action shots—I find this image particularly striking due to the contrast between athletic prowess and sheer size, along with the oddly shaped ball that seems ready to burst. Dan Burn has become a cult figure for England, reminiscent of Peter Crouch. Many fans affectionately call the towering 6ft 7in defender Big Dan Burn, but Bellingham reportedly refers to him as Burninho. There’s no way Raúl Jiménez, the Mexican striker, was ever getting past him.
Koné’s Injury Pain
The expression in Ismaël Koné’s eyes tells the entire story. The Canadian midfielder had just suffered fractures to the tibia and fibula in his lower left leg due to a challenge from Qatar’s midfielder Assim Madibo, who received a red card and a five-match suspension for the incident. As a photo editor, one must balance decency with newsworthiness before publishing such images (the uncensored pictures of Eduardo’s broken leg in 2008 still haunt me). This image effectively conveys the seriousness of the situation without being excessively graphic. Although Koné left the field on a stretcher, he waved to fans as he departed.
Crowd Scene
This photograph’s composition is both simple and beautiful. The intersecting lines, the interplay of light and shadow, and the depth within the scene create a visually rich experience.
Emotional Messi
It’s evident that Lionel Messi has struggled with penalties, having missed four of eight attempts in World Cup matches and 34 of 151 throughout his career, including shootouts. A misfired penalty against Egypt in a match that saw the African team initially lead 2-0 could have marked a heartbreaking conclusion to his illustrious international career. Instead, Messi did what he does best: he netted the equalizer and propelled his team to a remarkable 3-2 victory in regular time. This image, captured after the match, reflects the immense burden he carries. Is he feeling relief or guilt? Either way, he appears weighed down by the expectations.
Cubarsi’s Cartwheel
While I would typically choose a celebration photograph from the World Cup final as one of my favorites, this ‘tackle’ by Enzo Fernández was so outrageous—and the image of Pau Cubarsi soaring through the air so striking—that I couldn’t let it pass. An otherwise lackluster final was ignited at this moment. Cubarsi emerged from the ground to claim the title of ‘best young player’ of the tournament and, more importantly, a winner’s medal.
