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)

The annual Antarctic photography exhibition, which is part of Hobart’s Antarctica festival is back on with its chilly, majestic imagery. The winner this year is Sydney’s Sam Edmonds with his striking photo of a gentoo penguin in the snow. Here: Casey Station 2017. (Photo by Chris J. Wilson/The Guardian)

A boy plays at the feet of a statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela on Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 29, 2024. (Photo by Esa Alexander/Reuters)

Young monks laugh at their own photos taken by a German photojournalist in the main courtyard of the Dzong on October 13, 2011 in Punakha, Bhutan. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 31 and Queen of Bhutan Ashi Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, 21 wed in Bhutan's historic 17th century Punakha Dzong the same venue that hosted the King's historical coronation ceremony in 2008. (Photo by Triston Yeo/Getty Images)

A horse pulls a driving school car as other drivers push their vehicles behind during a demonstration by driving instructors in Belgrade, September 25, 1992. Due to gasoline shortage in the Yugoslav capital, driving instructors are staying away from work. (Photo by AP Photo)

A Ukrainian dancer of the Kyiv City Ballet company stretches prior to a performance at the Theatre de Chatelet, in Paris, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. The Kyiv City Ballet danced to a full house in Paris for the last show of a French tour that has left the company stranded after the war broke out in Ukraine. They described being physically and emotionally exhausted. Being given the opportunity to train and dance was for many a chance to focus on something other than the war. (Photo by Thibault Camus/AP Photo)

A demonstrator carries a placard reading “One more day of reflection” as she dances with others at Sol Square on May 21, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. A growing number of angry Spaniards have, encouraged by youth groups and social media campaigns, taken possession of the Sol square setting it up with tents and kitchens ahead of Sundays regional and municipal elections held in Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

In this photo taken Tuesday, October 14, 2014, skulls and bones are stacked at the Catacombs in Paris, France. The subterranean tunnels, stretching 2 kilometers (1.24 miles), cradle the bones of some 6 million Parisians from centuries past and once gave refuge to smugglers. The site used to close at 5 p.m., but is now staying open until 8 p.m. The change is mainly aimed at allowing more people to visit and reducing long lines, since it can only hold a limited number of people at a time and visits can't be reserved in advance. (Photo by Francois Mori/AP Photo)