Key facts
- Alex Freeman of the U.S. was captured in an airborne photograph during a match against Paraguay.
- The photo was taken during the opening match of the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
- The photographer aimed to capture the intensity of players battling for possession near the sideline.
- The image shows Freeman leaping over an opponent, illustrating the U.S. team's perceived dominance.
A photograph taken during the 2026 World Cup match between the United States and Paraguay has been highlighted for its dramatic composition and intensity. The image features U.S. player Alex Freeman captured mid-air, leaping over Paraguay's Antonio Sanabria as they vied for the ball near the sideline.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea, an Associated Press freelance photographer with extensive experience, captured the moment at SoFi Stadium. She described looking for dynamic shots that convey the players' focus and battle for control, particularly along the sidelines. Kamin-Oncea noted that the final frames of the play, including the one of Freeman airborne, "got better" and conveyed a sense of intensity.
The photograph is also interpreted as a visual representation of the U.S. team's dominance over Paraguay in the match, which was the first game of the 2026 World Cup hosted in the United States. Kamin-Oncea utilized a Nikon Z9 with a 400mm lens, employing a high shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second and shooting at 30 frames per second with pre-release to capture the decisive action.