Gitika Talukdar Becomes The Only Indian Woman Selected To Cover FIFA World Cup 2026

Why Is Gitika Talukdar’s FIFA 2026 Selection A Big Moment For Indian Sports Journalism?

Assam-based sports photojournalist Gitika Talukdar has made history after receiving official accreditation from FIFA to cover the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup. With this achievement, she has become the only Indian woman photojournalist selected for the global football tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will also mark Talukdar’s third consecutive Men’s FIFA World Cup assignment after previously covering the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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Who Is Gitika Talukdar And Why Is Her FIFA Selection Significant?

For nearly two decades, Gitika Talukdar has quietly built one of the most inspiring careers in Indian sports journalism. Based in Assam, she has spent years documenting some of the world’s biggest sporting moments through her camera lens while navigating an industry where women remain heavily underrepresented.

Over the years, Talukdar has covered multiple global sporting events including the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Paris Olympic Games, ICC Cricket World Cups, IPL tournaments, and several international football competitions.

Her repeated selection by FIFA reflects both consistency and credibility in the field of sports photography.

How Did Gitika Talukdar Build Her Career In Sports Photography?

Gitika Talukdar’s journey into sports journalism began with a fascination for visual storytelling and the powerful emotions captured behind the camera. What started as a passion slowly turned into a full-time profession that demanded travel, long working hours, physical endurance, and constant competition in male-dominated press environments.

Throughout her career, Talukdar has openly spoken about the challenges she faced as a woman in sports photography. From people questioning her career choice to concerns around safety during assignments, she often found herself working as the only female photographer among large groups of male professionals.