As Russia puts the finishing touches to the carefully manicured fields that will host the World Cup from next week, people around the globe are playing soccer on a surprising variety of makeshift pitches. Off the coast of an island in southern Thailand, they play on a floating platform; in the mountains of northern Italy, they kick about in the snow – images captured by Reuters photographers around the world. Here: Local residents play soccer on the top floor of a parking garage in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 4, 2018. (Photo by Darren Whiteside/Reuters)

Wayne McMahon from “The Wolfhound Experience” walking alongside four Irish Wolfhounds: Connell, Mac, Brendan, and Barra, accompanied by an Irish Terrier Lady MacBeth, at St. Stephen's Green in Dublin, Ireland, on May 16, 2024. The Wolfhound Experience offers a one-hour walking tour in Dublin's St. Stephens' Green, where visitors can meet and learn about Irish Wolfhounds, the gentle giants of the canine world. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

“Festive preparation”. Baghnapara, Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. Two girls prepare for the Gajan festival. They will perform a play based on Indian mythology. (Photo by Krishnasis Ghosh)

USA's Tara Davis-Woodhall reacts as she competes in the women's long jump final during the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest on August 20, 2023.. (Photo by Marton Monus/Reuters)

A man carries a child as he wades trough a flooded road following heavy rains in Strand, Western Cape, South Africa on September 25, 2023. (Photo by Esa Alexander/Reuters)

Dinara Safina of Russia hits a backhand in her match against Arantxa Parra Santonja of Spain during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2011 in Indian Wells, California.

A competitor dressed up as Santa Claus jumps into the sea during the 102nd Barcelona Traditional Christmas Swimming Cup at the Old Harbour of Barcelona on December 25, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

India's Central Reserve Police Force personnel take part in a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade on a cold winter morning in New Delhi January 8, 2014. (Photo by Ahmad Masood/Reuters)