2026 World Cup, photographers become protagonists: sideline controversies and new technologies

It's not just the footballers who are making headlines at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. One of the most curious and interesting pieces of news for the world of photography concerns the accredited photographers and the innovations introduced by FIFA.

After the first matches of the tournament, the coaches of England and Germany, Thomas Tuchel e Julian Nagelsmann, They criticized the position of the photographers on the sidelines, deeming it excessively close to the benches. Tuchel recounted that he couldn't even see his players during the national anthem because he was blocked by a row of photographers, while Nagelsmann joked that the lenses were so close they could have captured even his nose hairs.

Meanwhile, FIFA is experimenting with one of the most interesting photographic innovations in recent years: mini cameras worn by referees. Thanks to AI-supported stabilization systems, these cameras offer first-person footage that allows spectators to experience the action directly from the referee's point of view.

Also Getty Images, the official photographic agency of the event, is documenting the tournament with an impressive deployment of photographers and equipment, providing some of the most iconic images of the competition.

Photo curiosity of the day

With 48 teams and 104 matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 World Cup represents the biggest event sports photographers have ever faced. For many professionals, the images captured during this edition could become the defining ones of world soccer for the next decade.