The Guardian has compiled a gallery of light-hearted and unusual moments from the 2026 World Cup, capturing the offbeat culture and fan spirit surrounding the tournament across host cities in the US, Mexico and Canada. The collection ranges from a celebrity duck in Mexico City to elaborate fan tributes, costumes and half-time antics, offering a playful counterpoint to the competitive drama on the pitch.

Highlights include:
– Merlin the duck, a Mexico City celebrity who met President Claudia Sheinbaum and featured on a lottery ticket
– A World Cup-themed haircut of Kylian Mbappé created in Bangkok
– DJ Steve Aoki hitting a presenter with cake at half-time of the Norway v England quarter-final
– Statues and shrines dedicated to Lionel Messi in Argentina and Mexico City
– A "Rex the Robot" dancing among Norway fans in Miami, plus assorted costumes, cranes and crowd scenes from Seattle, Los Angeles and Tokyo