Sports have the ability to transform groups of strangers into a united community. In the celebratory spirit surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Sony and the World Photography Organisation present UNITED – a contest honouring the passion of football fans around the world. Seven inspirational photographers have been selected by Sony and WPO to capture the atmosphere and celebration of the World Cup across the globe. Photo: France – French fans cheering for their team. (Photo by Anthony Lepinay)

A statue of the Risen Christ is carried during an Easter Sunday procession in Cospicua, outside Valletta, Malta April 5, 2015. (Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters)

A Palestinian woman sorts freshly picked dates during harvest season in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 4, 2015. (Photo by Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters)

These stunning images got such a great reception they have been unveiled as the best wedding photos of 2016. The impressive photos include couples from around the world on their big day. One shot shows a bride and groom horse riding, while another captures the newlyweds jetting off for their honeymoon. The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) picked from over 23,000 submissions for the stunning collection. Here: Wedding in the UK. (Photo by Dan Bold/Caters News)

The city of Meroë laid undiscovered for two millennia before British archaeologist John Garstang excavated it in the early 20th century. Garstang took the radical decision to document his discoveries with photography – and immortalised an ancient world. “Meroë: Africa’s Forgotten Empire” is being shown until 14 September at Garstang Museum of Archaeology, Liverpool. Here: A group visiting the excavations at Meroë, including (from left) Midwinter Bey, director of Sudan Railways; Lord Kitchener; General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army; Professor Archibald Sayce; John Garstang; and Lady Catherine Wingate, 1911. (Photo by Garstang Museum of Archaeology)

Dancers perform during the carnival in Encarnacion, Paraguay on February 26, 2017. Encarnacion is located 375 km south of Asuncion, describes itself as the “Carnival Capital of Paraguay”. (Photo by Norberto Duarte/AFP Photo)

A “Federahannes”, a jester figure from Rottweil, participates in the “Narrensprung” (jester jump) parade in Rottweil, southern Germany, Monday, February 27, 2016. About 4000 jesters paraded through the city among thousands of spectators. The Rottweil Narrensprung is the highlight of the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht and one of the traditional pre-Lenten carnival parades in southwestern Germany. (Photo by Michael Probst/AP Photo)

Revelers dressed as Santa Claus or in festive costumes arrive for the start of SantaCon 2018 in New York City December 8, 2018. SantaCon is an annual event where people dress as Santa Claus or other Christmas characters parade in several cities around the world. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP Photo)