Associated Press photographers have captured the biggest sports stories from around the world over the past week. From March Madness in college basketball to Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s trip to South Korea and Brazil teenager Endrick’s match-winning goal at Wembley Stadium in London, the photographers have been on hand to document the action. The Miami Open saw second-ranked women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka compete after the death of a former ice hockey player she dated. Formula One faced scrutiny at the Australian Grand Prix, where Red Bull had to deal with a fire in the car of champion driver Max Verstappen, and the Indian Premier League kicked off with Chennai Super Kings beating Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In Paraguay, life-size statues of South American soccer legends Lionel Messi, Pele, and Diego Maradona were on display at the CONMEBOL museum. Costa Rica players faced backlash in Texas after being pelted with drinks and trash during a CONCACAF Nations League soccer match against Honduras. The U.S. went on to win the title by beating Mexico in the final. The selection of images was curated by Prague staff photographer Petr Josek. In the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers faced off against the Miami Heat, while in European soccer, Benfica and Lyon competed in the women’s Champions League quarterfinals. A mural of Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani was painted in Hermosa Beach ahead of Major League Baseball’s first regular-season games in Seoul, South Korea.
At the U.S. Alpine Championships in Ketchum, Idaho, Katie Grzelak competed in a women’s super-G skiing race, and a fan donned North Korean flags at a FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 preliminary joint qualification round 2 match between Japan and North Korea. The Miami Open continued with Aryna Sabalenka practicing before her matches, and the LPGA’s Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship took place in Palos Verdes Estates, California. The Indian Premier League cricket tournament saw Chennai Super Kings take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a match in India. Men’s giant slalom ski racing was also a highlight at the U.S. Alpine Championships in Ketchum, Idaho.
In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Philadelphia Flyers took on the Boston Bruins in an NHL hockey game. Zenit fans lit fireworks during an international friendly soccer match between Red Star and Zenit St. Petersburg in Belgrade, Serbia. Brazil’s Endrick scored the opening goal during a friendly soccer match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium. Costa Rica players faced backlash again, this time in Frisco, Texas, after celebrating a goal against Honduras. The NCAA wrestling championships saw Penn State’s Aaron Brooks take on NC State’s Trent Hilday in a 197-pound match. Moto3 rider Riccardo Rossi of Italy reacted after crashing during the Portuguese Motorcycle Grand Prix, where MotoGP rider Jorge Martin of Spain won the race.
In college basketball, Kansas State took on Colorado in a second-round game in the women’s NCAA Tournament, and the United States faced off against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final soccer match. The AP sports photographers have truly captured the essence of the global sports scene over the past week, showcasing the highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations of athletes from various disciplines and countries. The images serve as a visual representation of the passion, dedication, and excitement that sports bring to fans around the world.
