For five dizzying weeks this summer, the World Cup took over North America, bringing soccer superstars and superfans from around the globe to Canada, Mexico and the United States.
From the first kickoff in Mexico City, on June 11, the spectacle was nearly impossible to miss. The tournament — the largest ever, with an expanded 48-team field — has been lighting up cities from Toronto to Guadalajara with fans singing, dancing and, yes, rowing.
Watch parties popped up from Harlem to Cape Verde, as the world watched stars like Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal take over stadiums normally reserved for the National Football League. The games have prompted controversy, protests and tears, as well as camaraderie, excitement and euphoria as the field of teams was slowly whittled down on the way to crowning a champion.
Here is a look at some of the best images from a summer of soccer.
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