World Cup Photographers Navigate FIFA Restrictions and Logistical Challenges

Photographers Andrew Hancock and Joel Marklund, both Nikon Ambassadors, covered the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Marklund, of Scandinavia-based Bildbyrån, shot four matches in four days, traveling between Monterrey, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Dallas, then returned for the semifinals and final in New Jersey. He noted the tournament's commercialization, including hydration breaks used for advertising, and the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump at the final, which added Secret Service security. Marklund captured a defining image of Trump staying at the podium during Spain's trophy celebration, symbolizing the sport's subordination to politics. Hancock, based in Dallas, shot 16 games, primarily in Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City. He faced FIFA restrictions limiting mobility and remote camera placements, forcing him to pre-select seats based on team heat maps. Despite 50 goals in his matches, only two celebrations faced his camera; he used in-camera multiple exposure to create unique images. Both photographers emphasized the intense schedule and security protocols, with Marklund arriving eight hours early for the final. Hancock viewed the experience as a learning opportunity for the 2030 World Cup.