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WorldCulture7 days ago

The week in pictures: World Cup 2026 kicks off, the Pope visits Spain and the White House prepares for a cage fight showdown

This article presents a collection of notable images from various global events over the past week. It includes the Pope's visit to Barcelona and the Sagrada Família, the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Nigerian nationals returning home after xenophobic attacks in South Africa, protests in Northern Ireland, a football match in Sudan, and preparations for an MMA event at the White House to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

In pictures

Culture

The Pope visits Segrada Familia during his trip to Barcelona, the 2026 football World Cup kicks off in Mexico city, and the White House prepares for its first cage fight showdown. FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the week's most striking images.

Issued on: 14/06/2026 - 16:44

2 min Reading time

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Fireworks explode during the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia Pope Leo XIV's visit toBarcelona, ​​Spain, on June 10, 2026. © Reuters - Nacho Doce

Nigerian nationals repatriated from South Africa after a surge of xenophobic violence arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, on June 11, 2026. © Sunday Alamba, AP

Fires rage around police vehicles as protesters clash with law enforcement in Glengormley, Northern Ireland, on June 10, 2026. © Paul Faith, AFP

An overview of Mexico City Stadium before the World Cup football match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026. © Antonio Felix, AP

Soldiers stand guard as fans cheer during the Sudanese Premier League football match between Al Merrikh and Al-Hilal at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan on June 10, 2026. © Marwan Ali, AP

An MMA arena being prepared on the South Lawn of the White House for the 250th anniversary of the United States, on June 11, 2026, in Washington. © Alex Brandon, AP

A person holds a photo of the late Thai princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 12, 2026. © Sakchai Lalit, AP

Mourners carry the body of one of the four members of the al-Hariri family killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon in the Daraa province of southern Syria, on June 10, 2026. © Omar Albam, AFP

A gathering organized in memory of Lyhanna, and to demand new laws on child protection, in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, in southwestern France, on June 9, 2026 © Romain Perrocheau, AFP

"Grok from SpaceX produces child pornography using AI," reads an inflatable effigy of Elon Musk that appeared in Times Square in New York on June 11. © Seth Wenig, AP

A couple kisses during the 16th edition of the tomato battle festival, known as "Tomatina", in Sutamarchan, Colombia, June 7, 2026. © Esteban Vega La-Rotta

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Read the full article at France 24 (English) →
Source document: Fireworks explode during the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia

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France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter7 days ago
The week in pictures: World Cup 2026 kicks off, the Pope visits Spain and the White House prepares for a cage fight showdown

This article presents a collection of notable images from various global events over the past week. It includes the Pope's visit to Barcelona and the Sagrada Família, the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Nigerian nationals returning home after xenophobic attacks in South Africa, protests in Northern Ireland, a football match in Sudan, and preparations for an MMA event at the White House to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a neutral summary of visual highlights from various international events without taking a stance or showing bias toward any particular political ideology. It does not include commentary or framing that would suggest a leaning towards either side of the political spectrum.

Official sources cited

  • organisation Fireworks explode during the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
  • organisation Nigerian nationals repatriated from South Africa after a surge of xenophobic violence arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria
  • organisation Fires rage around police vehicles as protesters clash with law enforcement in Glengormley, Northern Ireland
  • organisation Overview of Mexico City Stadium before the World Cup football match between Mexico and South Africa
  • organisation Soldiers stand guard as fans cheer during the Sudanese Premier League football match between Al Merrikh and Al-Hilal at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan
  • organisation MMA arena being prepared on the South Lawn of the White House for the 250th anniversary of the United States

Go to the primary sources (6)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

  • organisationFireworks explode during the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
  • organisationNigerian nationals repatriated from South Africa after a surge of xenophobic violence arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria
  • organisationFires rage around police vehicles as protesters clash with law enforcement in Glengormley, Northern Ireland
  • organisationOverview of Mexico City Stadium before the World Cup football match between Mexico and South Africa
  • organisationSoldiers stand guard as fans cheer during the Sudanese Premier League football match between Al Merrikh and Al-Hilal at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan
  • organisationMMA arena being prepared on the South Lawn of the White House for the 250th anniversary of the United States