Mexico's Raul Jimenez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
NEW YORK (AP) — For news organizations, the World Cup is one of the most complex recurring stories on the planet. It’s not just about match results. It’s politics, economics, culture, human rights, celebrity, nationalism, and spectacle — all unfolding in real time, across dozens of countries, with audiences who care deeply.
This year’s World Cup was spread over three countries and numerous time zones — and featured 40 more matches than the previous edition. It has showcased The Associated Press’ extensive photographer presence across North America and Mexico, with staff photographers covering many matches in their home cities.
News agencies like AP operate as the backbone of global coverage, becoming the eyes and ears for outlets that can’t send their own teams. They chase not only the goals but the moments between them: the fan rituals, the geopolitical tensions, the controversies, and the stories of star players who carry the hopes of entire countries on their shoulders.
For the media, the World Cup is also a test of neutrality. When billions of people are emotionally invested, every headline, every photo, every framing choice is scrutinized.
In an era when attention is fractured across platforms and algorithms, the World Cup remains one of the last truly communal experiences. It’s a reminder that despite our divisions, we still crave shared stories — and the media still plays a crucial role in shaping how those stories are told.
The Associated Press had over 60 photographers covering the World Cup over 40 days in three countries, documenting 104 matches and sending almost 10,000 photos to customers. For this gallery, 16 AP photographers chose their favorite images.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Portugal and Croatia in Toronto, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa returns to the field after the half time during a World Cup Group A soccer match against Czechia in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)South Africa’s Sphephelo Sithole and Canada’s Jonathan David (10) go for a header during a World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)Fans celebrate during a watch party for a World Cup soccer match against Bosnia at the KC Live! entertainment district Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Congo players and staff pray after the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)United States’ Malik Tillman (17) scores their second goal from a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Singo connects on a bicycle kick as Ecuador’s Alan Franco attempts a header during a World Cup Group E soccer match in Philadelphia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Canada’s Jacob Shaffelburg celebrates after Qatar’s Mohamed Manai scores an own goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Egypt’s Emam Ashour (8) scores the opening goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Australia and Egypt in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)Sweden’s Yasin Ayari (18) celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Sunday, June 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)Australia’s Aiden O’Neill (13) battles for the ball with Paraguay’s Matias Galarza (23) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and Australia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)Norway’s Erling Haaland scores his second goal past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker (1) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Brazil and Norway in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane embrace at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Norway and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)United States’ Alex Freeman (16) scores their second goal against Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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