The Guardian's picture editor has curated a list of 30 favourite photographs from the 2026 World Cup, drawn from over 500,000 images captured during the tournament. The selection highlights composition, emotional resonance, and newsworthiness, with a slight bias towards England.
Messi's Cathedral and Goalline Scramble
Lionel Messi stands alone at a corner kick in Kansas City Stadium, with the cavernous venue sweeping around him. The image, captured by Julian Finney, evokes a deity in a footballing cathedral. Another standout shows Brazil's Endrick flinging his boot at a loose ball as Japan's players scramble to clear their lines, captured by a miniature goalmouth camera.
Tuchel's Close-Up and Balogun's Red
England manager Thomas Tuchel is seen during the national anthem before the Croatia match, furious that photographers blocked his view. After his request, Fifa moved photographers for subsequent games. In a separate incident, USA's Folarin Balogun received a red card for a foul on Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, with the image showing the ankle buckling. Balogun's one-game ban was suspended after lobbying from Donald Trump.
Scotland's Trauma and Bellingham's Diving Header
Scotland players Findlay Curtis and Jack Hendry are captured in the tunnel after a 3-0 loss to Brazil, looking like students awaiting reprimand. Jude Bellingham's diving header against Mexico at the Azteca is praised for its elevated vantage point, removing clutter and offering a fan's eye view. The verdant grass and shocking pink goalkeeper's jersey add to the appeal.
Bruno's Early Bath and Viking Row Boat
Brazil's Bruno Guimarães douses himself with water during a hydration break against Morocco, resembling a Portuguese water dog. Norway's fans performed mass rowing displays at Times Square and Miami Beach, becoming a viral sensation. The team's journey ended in the quarter-finals against England.
Light and Shade, Tunnel Vision
Kylian Mbappé dribbles against Sweden in a pool of afternoon sunlight, with deep shadows creating low-key lighting. Luka Modric is seen deep in thought in the tunnel before playing Panama, possibly remembering his war-torn roots and his grandfather.
Loving Vozinha and Gaza Screening
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40, became a breakout star with numerous saves against Spain and Argentina, earning 17 million Instagram followers. A photograph shows Palestinian fans in Gaza watching Egypt's game against Argentina on a giant screen amid war-damaged buildings, highlighting football's power to provide normality.
Power Header and Lamine Yamal's Braces
Erling Haaland's header against Brazil shows water flying off his forehead. He scored seven goals in five games. Lamine Yamal, who turned 19, wears braces with pride in a pre-tournament portrait shot with a 24-70mm lens on a Canon R5 Mark II.
Into Orbit and Neymar's Tears
Manuel Akanji's penalty miss against Colombia shows the ball rocketing skywards, telling the story without the crossbar. Neymar is consoled by Raphinha after Brazil's elimination by Norway, capturing his distress as his international career ends.
Upside Down and Big Screen
Julián Alvarez's celebration against Switzerland was flipped 180 degrees by Getty Images, creating a compelling but controversial manipulation. Atlanta Stadium's 'halo' display, a 335-metre screen, is shown from the gantry, where photographers worked for epic views.
Motion Blur and Heroic Harry
Sweden's Anthony Elanga is challenged by Japan defenders in a slow shutter speed pan, with pink boots leaving a painterly trail. Harry Kane's late strikes against DR Congo led to an embrace with Jude Bellingham, capturing their twin heroics.
Gómez Goes Berserk and Living Statue
Paraguay's Gustavo Gómez celebrates wildly after a penalty shootout win against Germany, careering through photographers. DRC fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, known as Lumumba Vea, stands motionless on a plinth during matches, mimicking the statue of Patrice Lumumba.
Senegal Swan Dive and Comeback King
Youri Tielemans heads Belgium's second goal against Senegal, with defender Moussa Niakhaté diving theatrically. Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic, overcoming three ACL injuries, scores a 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria, sparking accusations of fixing.
Football, Bloody Hell and Big Dan Burn
Australia's Connor Metcalfe shows a bloodied forehead after a stray boot, needing three stitches. England's Dan Burn blocks a bicycle kick from Raúl Jiménez, with the misshapen ball ready to pop. Burn, a cult figure, is called Burninho by Bellingham.
Emotional Messi and Crowd Scene
Lionel Messi after a 3-2 win over Egypt, having missed a penalty and equalised, looks tortured by expectation. A simple but beautiful composition of Canada fans at Toronto Stadium uses intersecting diagonals and light contrast.
Koné's Injury Pain and Cubarsi's Cartwheel
Canada's Ismaël Koné on the ground after a broken leg, conveying severity without graphic detail. Enzo Fernández's foul on Pau Cubarsi in the final sends the defender flying, leading to a red card. Cubarsi later won Best Young Player and a World Cup winner's medal.
