When the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, millions of fans will be focused on the action unfolding on the pitch. But among the global media contingent documenting football’s biggest spectacle, one Indian woman will once again be making history from the sidelines — camera in hand, chasing moments that last only seconds but tell stories forever.

Gitika Talukdar, an Assam-based sports photojournalist, has been officially accredited by FIFA to cover the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup. With this achievement, she becomes the only Indian woman photojournalist selected for the tournament and the first Indian and Assamese woman to receive accreditation for a third consecutive Men’s FIFA World Cup.

Her latest accreditation is more than a personal milestone. It represents a breakthrough moment for Indian sports journalism, women in media, and the Northeast region, which has historically remained underrepresented in global sporting narratives.

A Journey That Began Far From Football Stadiums

Gitika Talukdar’s journey into global sports photography did not begin inside giant football arenas or Olympic venues. Born in Arunachal Pradesh, she spent much of her childhood moving across different Indian cities because of her father’s transferable job. She studied in Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country, experiences that exposed her to diverse cultures and environments from a young age.

Long before international recognition came her way, Talukdar developed a deep interest in sports and storytelling. Armed with a camera and an instinct for capturing emotion, she slowly carved her own place in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Her professional career began with a photo news agency while simultaneously contributing to local media platforms. Over time, she transitioned fully into sports journalism and sports photography, building a reputation through persistence and years of fieldwork.

Today, Talukdar brings nearly two decades of experience in sports journalism, having covered some of the biggest international sporting events across the world.

Academic Pursuits And Research On Gender Inequality

While many know her through her striking sports photographs, Talukdar’s contribution to sports media extends beyond the camera lens.

She later moved to Seoul to pursue a Master’s degree in Global Sports Management at Seoul National University. She received a scholarship from South Korea’s Ministry of Sports and Culture and focused her academic research on gender inequalities in sports media.

Her research topic reflects the realities she herself has faced throughout her career. Sports photography, particularly at elite international events, remains heavily male-dominated. The profession demands relentless travel schedules, expensive equipment investments, long working hours, and intense competition for limited media accreditation slots.

Talukdar’s rise in such an ecosystem is therefore not merely inspirational — it is transformational.

Creating History At The FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup accreditation marks Talukdar’s third straight assignment at the Men’s FIFA World Cup after previously covering the 2018 edition in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

She has also covered the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2019 and 2023, held in France and jointly in Australia and New Zealand respectively.

What makes these achievements remarkable is the competitiveness involved in FIFA accreditation. Thousands of journalists and photographers from around the world apply for a limited number of spots at the World Cup. Being selected repeatedly is considered a strong validation of professional credibility and international standing.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup itself is expected to be historic. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will be the largest in FIFA history, featuring 48 participating national teams and expanded global media coverage.

For Talukdar, being chosen once again places her among an elite group of global sports photojournalists trusted to document football’s most iconic moments.

Olympics, ICC Tournaments And Global Sporting Events

Beyond FIFA tournaments, Talukdar’s portfolio spans multiple international sporting spectacles.

She covered the Tokyo Olympics and later the Paris Olympics, becoming one of the few Indian women to photograph the Olympic Games professionally.

In 2024, the International Olympic Committee directly accredited her for the Paris Olympics under its initiative to encourage women sports journalists and photographers. According to reports, she became the first and only female photographer from India to receive this direct IOC accreditation and among a very small number globally.

Talukdar publicly expressed gratitude to the IOC for recognizing her work and supporting women journalists in sports media. The recognition was seen as a landmark moment for female sports photographers in India.

She had earlier covered the Tokyo Olympics during the difficult pandemic period, where logistical challenges and restrictions created unprecedented hurdles for journalists worldwide. Despite those challenges, Talukdar successfully documented the Games and covered athletes including Assamese boxer Lovlina Borgohain, a moment she reportedly described as one of her proudest professional experiences.

Apart from FIFA and Olympic assignments, she has also covered IPL seasons, ICC tournaments, Commonwealth Games, and other major global sporting competitions.

Capturing Emotion Beyond Action

For Talukdar, sports photography is not merely about freezing action shots of goals, wickets, or medals. Her work focuses heavily on emotion — moments of pressure, celebration, heartbreak, silence, and resilience.

Her photographs often capture athletes celebrating victories, fans reacting emotionally, teams under pressure, and the atmosphere surrounding iconic sporting occasions. Reports on her work note that her storytelling style emphasizes the human side of sport rather than only celebrity-driven imagery.

This ability to tell layered stories through visuals has helped distinguish her in an intensely competitive profession.

At a time when digital media consumption is rapidly evolving, Talukdar’s work also reflects how Indian sports journalism is becoming increasingly global in outlook and representation.

Breaking Barriers For Women In Sports Media

Talukdar’s success carries significance far beyond individual achievement. She represents a growing shift in Indian sports media, where women are increasingly breaking barriers in spaces once considered inaccessible.

Coming from Northeast India — a region often overlooked in mainstream media ecosystems — she has emerged as a global representative for Indian sports journalism. Several reports have described her achievements as historic for Assam and the wider Northeast region.

Her journey also mirrors larger conversations around gender representation in sports coverage. Despite gradual progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in sports photography worldwide. Access to resources, travel opportunities, institutional support, and visibility often continue to favor male professionals.

Talukdar’s repeated selection for elite global sporting events challenges those norms directly.

In many ways, her story is also about representation. India may still be waiting for its men’s football team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup, but Indian professionals are already leaving their mark behind the scenes — documenting history, shaping narratives, and contributing to the global sporting ecosystem.

A Milestone For Indian Sports Journalism

Talukdar has described her FIFA accreditation as a major milestone in her sports journalism career and acknowledged the support of FIFA, the All India Football Federation and the Asian Football Confederation.

Her continued rise has inspired aspiring journalists and photographers, especially young women hoping to build careers in sports media.

From studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas across India to photographing the world’s biggest sporting events, Talukdar’s journey stands as a testament to perseverance, talent, and vision.

As the football world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Gitika Talukdar will once again be there — not as a player on the pitch, but as one of the storytellers ensuring that the emotions, drama, and unforgettable moments of the tournament are preserved forever through her lens.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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