The week in pictures: World Cup 2026 kicks off, the Pope visits Spain and the White House prepares for a cage fight showdown
France 24 highlights the week's most striking images: the 2026 FIFA World Cup opens in Mexico, Pope Leo XIV visits Barcelona, and the White House sets up an MMA arena for the US 250th anniversary.
World Cup 2026 Begins in Mexico
On June 11, the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa took place at Mexico City Stadium. A photo shows the stadium overview before the game.
Pope's Visit to Spain
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Barcelona on June 10, visiting the Sagrada Familia basilica and inaugurating the Tower of Jesus Christ. Fireworks marked the celebration.
White House Prepares for US 250th Anniversary
An MMA arena was set up on the South Lawn of the White House on June 11 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This marks the first cage fight event at the White House.
Other Weekly Highlights
Repatriated Nigerians arrived in Lagos after a surge of xenophobic violence in South Africa. In Glengormley, Northern Ireland, protesters clashed with police, and vehicles were set on fire. Sudan hosted a Premier League football match between Al Merrikh and Al-Hilal. Thailand mourned the late Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol. In Syria, four al-Hariri family members killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon were buried. France saw a gathering demanding stronger child protection laws. In New York's Times Square, an inflatable effigy of Elon Musk appeared, accusing SpaceX's Grok of generating AI child pornography. Colombia held the 16th edition of the Tomatina festival in Sutamarchan.
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