Audiences of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have shared across media and social platforms a photograph ranked among the most iconic images of the current tournament. The picture's strangeness and dramatic appeal arose from its subjects themselves: the photographer who captured it is a well-known Brazilian photojournalist, while the subject of the photograph is a talented Egyptian sports photographer named Samah Zidan.
During the Egypt vs. Australia match — which ended in a precious Egyptian victory on penalty kicks — Samah was carrying out her work from behind her camera. When the final kick was taken, announcing Egypt's victory and qualification for the round of 16, feelings of joy and the elation of triumph erupted within her.
Yet she continued shooting. Brazilian photographer Rikelvy Nata noticed his colleague's tears of joy streaming down her face and took a remarkable photograph of her, which he then shared with her — leaving her deeply moved and overjoyed. Samah says: