I am not attending the World Cup. Likely, neither are you. Despite its unprecedented scale—with more countries, matches, and high ticket prices—most of us are not there physically. Like many, I watch on television. My country, Ireland, did not qualify, reducing my interest, but millions watch with enthusiasm.
The number of attendees, while large, pales compared to the billions watching at home. FIFA states 1.5 billion people, almost a fifth of the world’s population, watched the last World Cup final in 2022. This year’s viewership is set to surpass that. The tournament is a major televised event. The excitement around teams, fans, and the spectacle can overshadow its status as a broadcast phenomenon.
Photographers not physically present at the World Cup have captured some intriguing images. They sit far from the action, documenting it via their TV screens. This approach creates unique visuals. For example, Paris-based Bilal Aouffen takes TV photos through a bag of water. This results in dream-like images, more impressionistic than literal.
Brazilian artist Gabriel Rolim posts images on Instagram using a Game Boy camera. His work is playful and pixelated, resembling a thermographic snapshot of watching the World Cup. Moroccan photographer Karim Ouakkaha captures the defeat of Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. His image conveys both the goalkeeper’s and his team’s sense of loss.
Jared Soares, based in Washington, photographs televised matches, prints them in monochrome, and reprocesses them. The crumpled, flattened paper used gives a tactile dimension to images of players and fans experiencing intense emotions.
Leave a Reply