People play a soccer match during a one-day knockout tournament, in Ingeniero Budge, Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 5, 2026. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian
As the 2026 World Cup nears, Reuters photographer Agustin Marcarian turns his camera far away from the glitz and glamour of the big stadiums. He has documented Argentina’s colorful potrero culture: After long workdays, men on the outskirts of Buenos Aires gather on muddy pitches to play for small cash prizes, as spectators bet on the results.
His images capture all the gritty details: dogs wandering onto the field, rowdy wagering, and pots of communal stew simmering on the sidelines. They reveal both a deep passion for the game and the harsh reality of playing for money as Argentina’s economy struggles.
"I had been wanting to tell this story since the middle of the pandemic, when this kind of alternative football really took off," says Agustin Marcarian.
"These games take place in neighborhoods where building trust takes time. Ahead of the World Cup, it felt like the right story to reflect the country’s situation, where for many people, life is closer to survival than stability."
"What I find most inspiring is the way people come together around football. Outside the pitch, reality can hit hard, but when the whistle blows and the ball starts rolling, that’s all that matters."
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