Veteran sports photographer Shaun Botterill has reflected on his unforgettable experience covering the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, describing it as a tournament where “you could sense the history.” Botterill, who went on to become one of the world’s most respected sports photographers, recalled capturing iconic football moments that shaped the game’s legacy.
His journey from a young photographer at Mexico ’86 to creating the most-liked photo in Instagram history highlights decades of dedication to visual storytelling.
As excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Botterill’s memories remind football fans of the enduring power of photography to preserve the sport’s greatest moments.