What constitutes a remarkable World Cup photograph? The answer is complex and layered. Elements like composition, emotional resonance, timely capture, and a touch of luck all play significant roles in their importance. Yet, they universally possess the extraordinary power to captivate the viewer.
Throughout the past six weeks, our sports photography team has sifted through over 500,000 World Cup images, revealing countless breathtaking shots. Here, with deep respect for the skilled photographers behind these visuals and a slight bias towards England, I present my favorite images from the tournament.
Messi’s Cathedral
We kick off with an extraordinary shot. Within the vast expanse of Kansas City Stadium, a solitary patch of grass highlights the world’s most celebrated footballer, standing alone. While it may not be immediately recognizable as Lionel Messi, there’s an unmistakable presence about him, as if all eyes are drawn to him like worshippers in a grand football cathedral.
Goalline Scramble
Technological innovations have introduced high-quality miniature remote-controlled cameras positioned in goal areas, offering a thrilling perspective of the game. One particular image captures a chaotic scramble between Brazil and Japan, where the off-kilter angle intensifies the moment’s frenzy.
Tuchel’s Close-Up
This choice might seem self-referential, yet it was a pivotal moment: during England’s opening match against Croatia, manager Thomas Tuchel was so furious at being unable to see his players during the national anthem that he requested Fifa to rearrange the photographers for future games. Given the circumstances, his frustration is understandable. Merely four weeks later, Tuchel again made headlines after his substitutions in the semi-final against Argentina played a role in England’s defeat.
Balogun Sees Red
At first glance, the incident seems benign until you notice the alarming angle of Tarik Muharemovic’s ankle as he falls victim to a poorly executed challenge from Folarin Balogun. Replays indicated that the foul was unintentional, yet the Bosnian was fortunate to escape serious injury. Following a VAR review, Balogun received a red card, although Fifa later lifted his one-match ban after intervention from Donald Trump. Upon rejoining the squad, Balogun witnessed the USA’s elimination by Belgium in the subsequent round.
Tartan Trauma
This World Cup has gifted us numerous candid shots from the tunnels, revealing players’ true selves outside the public eye. A striking image captures Scotland’s Findlay Curtis and Jack Hendry in the aftermath of their disappointing 3-0 loss to Brazil—a setback that ultimately led to Scotland’s early departure. They resemble students waiting outside a headmaster’s office, anticipating a reprimand.
I have a particular fondness for diving headers, and Jude Bellingham’s against Mexico was especially delightful. From a photographic standpoint, elevated shots like this are rare during the Premier League season, making them refreshing during major tournaments. The elevated perspective also eliminates distracting elements, providing an authentic fan’s view of the goal. Moreover, the vibrant green grass, the striking pink goalkeeper’s jersey, and the anticipation of the ball crossing the line enhance the moment. It evokes memories of a signed photo of Coventry’s Keith Houchen from the 1987 FA Cup final that proudly hangs in my father’s office.
Bruno’s Early Bath
Amid hydration breaks and copious amounts of Powerade, only one player managed to resemble a Portuguese water dog fresh from a dip: Brazil’s Bruno Guimarães. Captured here cooling off during their opener against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium, Brazil would soon face an untimely exit after their defeat to Norway in the last 16.
Viking Row Boat
The synchronized rowing displays by Norway’s fans this summer have become a viral sensation. From Times Square to Miami Beach, these performances became a staple of the team’s post-match celebrations, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard joining in the revelry as the team advanced to the quarter-finals. Although their journey ended with a loss to England, it undeniably stands out as one of the tournament’s uplifting stories.
Bathed in a beautiful afternoon glow, surrounded by deep shadows, this scene exemplifies nearly perfect low-key lighting conditions. The photographer simply needed to adjust the exposure and wait for a subject to glide through. The fact that Kylian Mbappé is the one sprinting across the field in his striking blue French kit adds a vibrant pop of color and significance to the image.
Tunnel Vision
Luka Modric has previously expressed his desire to not let down his homeland and to honor the memories of his grandfather, who shares his name. In this reflective moment before facing Panama, he seems lost in thought. Whether he’s simply massaging his temple or contemplating his challenging past, there’s a depth to his expression that is striking.
Loving Vozinha
At 40 years old, Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha emerged as a standout performer in this World Cup. His outstanding saves against Spain during the group stage garnered him widespread acclaim, leading to 17 million Instagram followers. A remarkable display against Argentina, where he famously thwarted a quick free-kick from Messi, further cemented his reputation. In this photo, his expression captures the joy of receiving adoration from fans after the Blue Sharks’ impressive goalless draw with Spain.
Gaza Screening
This powerful image encapsulates the unifying spirit of football while offering a sobering perspective on the World Cup. Amidst the destruction, Palestinian residents in Gaza congregated to watch a screening of Egypt’s match against Argentina, providing a fleeting moment of normalcy amid the surrounding chaos.
Erling Haaland’s opening goal against Brazil left his former Premier League rival, Gabriel Magalhães, in a heap. This shot captures water, or possibly sweat, flying off the striker’s forehead as he makes contact with the ball. Haaland’s impressive tally of seven goals in five World Cup matches highlights his versatility, as he scored with both feet, his head, and from various distances. Notably, Norway has never lost to Brazil in five encounters, marking a unique achievement.
Lamine Yamal’s Braces
This image, part of Fifa’s official player portraits, was taken prior to the tournament, but I’ve only recently come across it. Lamine Yamal, who just turned 19, proudly sports braces, a rarity among players. This particular frame was captured with a 24-70mm lens on a Canon R5 Mark II, boasting an impressive 45 megapixels; therefore, it likely underwent significant cropping in post-production for this composition.
Into Orbit
Some missed penalties stand out more than others. Germany’s Jonathan Tah and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji both had moments reminiscent of Chris Waddle as they ballooned their attempts over the bar. Typically, I would argue that the crossbar needs to be in view to illustrate a miss, but the image of the ball soaring into the sky—almost as if it could breach the stadium roof—tells the story succinctly.
Neymar’s Tears
No matter how grand one’s ego may be, there are moments when a comforting embrace is essential. This poignant photograph captures Neymar Jr.’s visible distress as he grapples with the end of his international career, realizing his childhood dream of winning the World Cup will remain unfulfilled. His teammate Raphinha is there to console him. While it may lack the humility of Freddie Flintoff comforting Brett Lee during the Ashes or the strength of Derek Redmond being aided by his father at the 1992 Olympics, it still conveys a powerful emotional impact.
Upside Down
This image was rotated by Getty Images before reaching us. Such manipulation may seem almost sacrilegious in photojournalism, yet I find it fascinating. It showcases Julián Alvarez celebrating his late goal against Switzerland, provoking questions about fundamental photographic principles. Would I publish this in print? Certainly not. But would I include it in an online gallery of noteworthy images from the summer? Absolutely.
Big Screen
The stadiums in the U.S. have been astonishing in their scale. Atlanta Stadium, home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and local MLS and NWSL teams, boasts a maximum capacity of 75,000, a climate-controlled environment, and a colossal 335-meter video display known as the “halo.” This dramatic shot from the upper level captures the grandeur perfectly. Initially, I thought the camera was remote-operated, but some photographers were actually stationed up there on the gantry. What an incredible view they must have enjoyed!
Motion Blur
This stunning example illustrates a photographer skillfully employing a slow shutter speed while following the action. I particularly appreciate the details; Anthony Elanga’s facial expression is sharp, and his pink boots create a painterly effect as they blur behind him.
Heroic Harry
Harry Kane’s late goals against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 32 elicited a powerful emotional response from the England captain. I deliberated over which image to feature—many striking shots exist of him racing across the pitch alongside Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon—but this one, capturing him embraced by Bellingham, perfectly encapsulates their shared heroics during the tournament. The image is clean, well-balanced, and radiates camaraderie.
Gómez Goes Berserk
The raw emotions of penalty shootouts consistently yield striking images. This year, Gustavo Gómez of Paraguay stands out for the most exuberant reaction. Following their sudden-death victory over Germany, Gómez, who successfully converted his own penalty, sprinted across the pitch like a heron taking flight, nearly leaping over teammates José Canale and Orlando Gill as he rushed to celebrate with them. He then dashed through the photographers behind the goal to grab a mobile phone and document the moment himself.
Living Statue
Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, has earned the nickname
