World Cup 2026: Three Matches Down, Six More to Go

Three matches down. Six more to go.

Over the last two weeks I’ve had the opportunity to cover three FIFA World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

• Netherlands vs. Japan

• England vs. Croatia

• Argentina vs. Austria

Each match has brought its own story, atmosphere, and unforgettable moments.

One of the things that has stood out most is how different every crowd feels. The Japanese supporters filled the stadium with a sea of blue and unmatched energy. England supporters turned the stadium into something that felt more like a cathedral than a sporting event, singing for ninety minutes and reminding everyone why football is called the beautiful game. And then there was Argentina, where every touch seemed to carry the weight of expectation and every appearance by Messi drew the attention of over 70,000 people.

As photographers, we spend most of our day chasing moments. Some last only a fraction of a second. A goal celebration, a reaction from the crowd, a save, a missed chance, a look between teammates. The challenge isn’t just documenting what happened—it’s trying to capture what it felt like to be there.

I’ve arrived at the stadium hours before kickoff, climbed countless stairs, set up remote cameras behind the goal, and spent entire matches looking through a viewfinder while tens of thousands of fans around me experienced the game in real time.

What continues to amaze me is the scale of this tournament. The World Cup brings together cultures, languages, and supporters from around the globe, all united by a love of the game. Every match feels bigger than the last.

The images below are a collection of some of my favorite moments from the first three matches—from the sweeping stadium scenes and passionate supporters to the action on the field and the small details that often tell the bigger story.

With six matches still ahead, I’m looking forward to seeing what stories unfold next.