Photos: Air controllers

Published: 1 Mar 2026

See eye-catching photos of players controlling the ball in the air at the FIFA World Cup™.

Photos: Air controllers

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Dennis BergkampDennis Bergkamp

Netherlands v Argentina France 1998 | Quarter-finals Stade Velodrome, Marseille

Holland's Dennis Bergkamp (left) controls the ball before scoring the winning goal (Photo by Michael Steele/EMPICS via Getty Images)

Thierry HenryThierry Henry

Italy v France Germany 2006 | Final Olympiastadion, Berlin

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Simone PepeSimone Pepe

Slovakia v Italy South Africa 2010 | Group stage Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 24: Simone Pepe of Italy in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group F match between Slovakia and Italy at Ellis Park Stadium on June 24, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Asamoah GyanAsamoah Gyan

Ghana v Uruguay South Africa | Quarter-finals Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 02: Asamoah Gyan of Ghana controls the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Uruguay and Ghana at the Soccer City stadium on July 2, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Arjen RobbenArjen Robben

Spain v Netherlands Brazil 2014 | Group stage Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

SALVADOR, BRAZIL - JUNE 13: Arjen Robben of the Netherlands controls the ball for scoring the second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Watch: Electric Arjen shocks SpainWatch: Electric Arjen shocks Spain

Eden HazardEden Hazard

Belgium v Panama Russia 2018 | Group stage Fisht Stadium, Sochi

Belgium's forward Eden Hazard (R) controls the ball as he is marked by Panama's midfielder Gabriel Gomez during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Panama at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 18, 2018. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Mesut OzilMesut Ozil

Korea Republic v Germany Russia 2018 | Group stage Kazan Arena, Kazan

TOPSHOT - Germany's midfielder Mesut Ozil jumps to control the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between South Korea and Germany at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 27, 2018. (Photo by Luis Acosta / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADS (Photo credit should read LUIS ACOSTA/AFP via Getty Images)

NeymarNeymar

Serbia v Brazil Russia 2018 | Group stage Spartak Stadium, Moscow

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 27: Neymar Jr of Brazil controls the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group E match between Serbia and Brazil at Spartak Stadium on June 27, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Timothy WeahTimothy Weah

USA v Wales Qatar 2022 | Group stage Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Doha

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 21: Timothy Weah of United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between USA and Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Nikola VlasicNikola Vlasic

Morocco v Croatia Qatar 2022 | Group stage Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 23: Nikola Vlasic of Croatia controls the ball against Noussair Mazraoui (L) and Romain Saiss of Morocco during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Morocco and Croatia at Al Bayt Stadium on November 23, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Lionel MessiLionel Messi

Argentina v Mexico Qatar 2022 | Group stage Lusail Stadium, Lusail

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