Jonny Weeks

A 90-second audio-visual animation reviews the 2026 World Cup through tournament photographs, highlighting key moments, colourful fans and the trophy. The piece includes flashing images and an audio track.

A Guardian picture editor selects 30 favourite images from more than 500,000 photographs received during the 2026 World Cup. The selection highlights dramatic goals, emotional celebrations and defeats, unusual photographic techniques, tunnel and crowd scenes, fan culture, injuries and the human impact of football, including Palestinian supporters watching a match among Gaza's war-damaged buildings. The editor favours images with strong composition, timing, emotional resonance and visual novelty, while acknowledging a slight bias toward England.

A photographic recap of Brazil’s dominant win over Scotland at the 2026 World Cup, highlighting early defensive errors, Vinícius Júnior’s goals, VAR intervention, further scoring by Matheus Cunha, and the reactions of players and supporters as Scotland await confirmation of their knockout-stage prospects.

Images capture World Cup 2026 viewing events worldwide, showing fans gathering in cities across multiple continents to watch matches on large screens, in public squares, parks and unique settings ranging from kayaks to historic landmarks.

Build‑up to the France–Morocco World Cup quarter‑final covered team news, disciplinary decisions and wider tournament developments. England defender Jarell Quansah received a two‑match ban, Christian Pulisic was ruled out for several weeks with a microfracture, and Erling Haaland spoke about facing England after leading Norway to the last eight. Debate emerged over political involvement in World Cup matters following comments from Andrew Giuliani about Keir Starmer’s intervention on England’s match scheduling. Preparations, fan reactions, and upcoming fixtures were outlined alongside coverage of other major players and storylines shaping the tournament.

An exploration of alternative photographic techniques at the 2026 World Cup highlights the growing popularity of creative, experimental approaches among both accredited and independent photographers. Using slit‑scanning and flat‑bed scanners, Jonny Weeks reimagines traditional sports imagery while placing the trend in historical context and noting the broader movement toward unconventional visual storytelling in modern sports photography.

A photo-led recap of England’s dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the 2026 World Cup, highlighting key moments including Jude Bellingham’s two goals, Harry Kane’s penalty, Jarell Quansah’s red card, and Mexico’s fightback, as England hold on to reach the quarter-finals.

Former Republic of Ireland players Jason McAteer and John Aldridge recount the extreme heat and harsh playing conditions during Ireland’s 1994 World Cup match against Mexico, where temperatures reached 43C and hydration rules were severely limited. Players struggled with heat stress, improvised cooling methods, and restrictive substitution rules, while manager Jack Charlton clashed with officials over water access. The match’s intensity contributed to later fatigue in the tournament, and one player, Tommy Coyne, suffered dangerous post-match dehydration. With the 2026 World Cup facing similar heat challenges in parts of the US, players are now better protected through hydration breaks, though some fixtures may still present difficult environmental conditions.

A sequence of match photographs shows England overturning a deficit to defeat DR Congo in the World Cup last‑32, highlighted by two late goals from Harry Kane and strong performances from both sides.

Photographers working for FIFA and Getty Images produced official World Cup 2026 portraits using simple lighting and creative filters that revealed players’ personalities. The fast‑paced shoots required efficiency, with many players contributing their own poses and reviewing images on set. England players drew humorous online reactions to their portraits, while Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa’s refusal to face the camera generated the most attention. The behind‑the‑scenes images highlight both the technical process and the varied attitudes of players and coaches toward the mandatory sessions.

Marcelo Bielsa dismissed scrutiny over his unconventional World Cup portrait, saying he owes no explanation for looking down during FIFA’s official photoshoot. He criticized the pressure to justify personal behavior after reporters questioned his pose following Uruguay’s draw with Saudi Arabia. Photographers easily captured expressive images of players, but Bielsa’s awkward portrait quickly went viral, adding to his reputation for eccentricity highlighted by past incidents such as using a bucket on the touchline and personally paying a fine during his Leeds United tenure.

Supporters of West Ham and Tottenham express anger, despair and nostalgia as both clubs face the threat of relegation after years of mismanagement, broken promises and disappointing performances. Fans recount the loss of traditional stadiums, questionable leadership decisions, poor recruitment and a deep sense of disillusionment as the teams enter the final matches separated by only two points. While hopes of survival persist, many describe the season as a culmination of systemic failures, leaving one of the clubs facing the prospect of Championship football in August.

The photo essay highlights the centenary Table Tennis World Championships in London, featuring players of all ages and global backgrounds. It traces the sport’s evolution from its Victorian origins to its modern worldwide popularity, emphasizes China’s long-standing dominance and recent unexpected defeats, and showcases personal stories of athletes and enthusiasts. The narrative underlines table tennis’s accessibility, health benefits, and growing international competitiveness, culminating in anticipation for the tournament’s final stages.

A nostalgic reflection on childhood spent collecting football autographs while following Coventry City during their Premier League years, tracing the club’s long decline and recent revival. Personal memories of players, matches and time shared with the author’s father intertwine with the evolution of the club, culminating in both hope and apprehension about a potential return to the top flight and what it might mean for their future experiences together.

Staff, visitors and horticulturalists reflect on the Eden Project’s 25-year evolution, highlighting its rare plant collections, large-scale biomes and conservation work. The site’s recent financial challenges contrast with its long-term cultural and economic impact on Cornwall. Engineers, climbers and technicians detail the complex systems required to maintain the biomes, from geothermal heating to water management, while performers and guides showcase the attraction’s educational role for children. The project’s founders and team emphasize its mission to inspire care for the planet through immersive experiences and environmental storytelling.

Photographers from Getty Images are using thermal‑imaging and other experimental techniques to capture distinctive images of athletes at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, producing striking visuals that reveal heat patterns, motion traces and energy dissipation. The team is also working with infrared methods, vintage Graflex cameras modified for smartphone transmission and other creative approaches, aiming to present a complete artistic collection by the end of the Games.

Photographers recount how standout sports images of 2025 were captured, describing technical choices, split‑second timing and the emotional moments behind scenes across football, athletics, motorsport and other events. The images highlight championship wins, dramatic action, creative perspectives and unique access, illustrating both athlete performance and photographic craft.

Penzance’s Montol festival transforms the town on the winter solstice with a mix of revived and newly invented traditions featuring osses, guise dancing, tree‑god battles and sprout‑throwing. Organisers emphasize the event’s community-driven, non‑corporate character, while volunteers and performers sustain the evolving rituals, including carol singing, street processions, and the burning of a symbolic sun. The festival blends pagan influences, local culture and playful anarchy, culminating in a torchlit procession and the chalking of the yule log as residents reclaim and energize their town on the year’s shortest day.