World Cup snapper sees the difference and feels the buzz in 2026

2 hours ago

Lee Bottomley,Stoke-on-Trentand

Lee Blakeman,BBC Radio Stoke

News image — Simon Stacpoole said the 2026 World Cup had a different feel but was still a "buzz" to work at

Simon Stacpoole A man in a green photographers bib, with a camera over his shoulder, is standing between three football mascots, alongside the pitch in a stadium — Simon Stacpoole said the 2026 World Cup had a different feel but was still a "buzz" to work at

A photographer covering the 2026 World Cup said this year's tournament is very different to the previous four he has worked on.

Simon Stacpoole, from Nantwich, Cheshire, has captured key moments at live sporting events for two decades.

As this tournament is spread across 16 stadiums in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Stacpoole said there was no central aspect to it.

"There's no hopping into the middle of town and seeing thousands of fans together, it's not that sort of tournament, which they tend to be - this is very localised from one city to the next," he added.

But he said it was impossible not to feel excited once inside a stadium: "It's arguably the biggest sporting event in the world - how can you not get a buzz from being there?"

Simon Stacpoole A row of people in green photographer bibs, each pointing cameras at a football pitch inside a very large stadium — Stacpoole was pitchside at the New Jersey Stadium

The first 2026 World Cup game Stacpoole shot photos at was Brazil's opening match against Morocco.

"It was a belter, it was awash with colour.. that classic yellow kit against Morocco in the red," he said.

As he took pictures from the stands, the sun was beating down on the pitch in New Jersey, everything was glowing, and "suddenly it just really felt like the World Cup," he added.

Simon Stacpoole/Offside Two footballers tussling for a football on a pitch, both are in a shadow. — Stacpoole captured this image as France beat Sweden

After covering football matches for so long, he admitted the novelty of being pitch side at the tournament had probably worn off.

"But there are still moments that happen in front of you that do still give you a real buzz," he said.

"You have to pinch yourself and remind yourself you're sitting in front of these mega stars."

This will be the first World Cup where he is not due to stay until the end - but Stacpoole said "if England miraculously make it all the way to the final, then I might be popping back out here for the 19th of July!"