The 2026 World Cup Final took place 59 days ago. Almost 2 months now.

For 39 days during the World Cup, I traveled across the country photographing the people, neighborhoods, businesses, homes, and communities experiencing the games from outside the stadiums. I had the pleasure of immersing myself in these close-knit pockets that immigrant and diaspora communities have made their homes. From Central Falls, Rhode Island, drinking grogue with Cabo Verdeans, to Koreatown dancing zapateados and watching fans hang from traffic lights.

Although I am nowhere near ready to publish the work, as most of it is still stored in the 157 rolls of film I shot over the course of the tournament, I am ready to share the stories, the process of making this project, the behind-the-scenes, and maybe tease out some images here and there.

Waiting 2 months was intentional. Using mostly film was intentional. It was a way of pacing the joys of this thing I’ve been yearning for for so many years.

The conversations. The songs. The screams. The food. The hug of a stranger witnessing their country make history.

But just as the seasons are changing, this period of reflection is passing too. Speaking with friends and family at length about the experience and the project has fueled me to finally start bringing this thing to life.

As I sit here feeling excited and hungry for what this will become, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. This project is very close to my heart, and the perfectionist in me hopes that people walk away from it having taken something with them.

That being said, let’s get started.

PS - If you’d like to support the project and the journey, please visit my website.

Abrazos,

- Nico Polo

Notes on Looking

It’s finally that time.