07/17/26 09:06:00
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07/17 09:05 CDT This year's World Cup has generated countless images. AP
photographers pick their favorites
This year's World Cup has generated countless images. AP photographers pick
their favorites
By TONY HICKS
Associated Press
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.
___
Tony Hicks, AP's deputy director of photography for global sports, has covered
nine World Cup finals.
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