Giant World Cup ball whips through streets in wild weather

Drivers in El Salvador's capital battled wild weather and, for some, a bouncy World Cup ball.

On Sunday, a giant inflatable football blew off its structure and whipped through the streets of San Salvador, where heavy rains and strong winds caused flash flooding in some parts of the city.

The Latin American country failed to qualify for the 2026 competition after suffering six consecutive losses in last year's qualifying rounds.

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Two World Cup mascots breaking into an iron gate with a metal pole.

Watch: Peru police dress up as World Cup mascots during drug raid

Peruvian police officers disguised themselves as 2026 World Cup mascots to break into the home of a suspected drug dealer - and football fan.

Latin America

Split screen. Left, female with "La Catrina" costume. Right, male with boy on his sholders.

'Once in a lifetime' - Mexico fans share excitement as World Cup kicks off

The BBC spoke to match-goers outside Azteca Stadium, where Mexico began the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

Latin America

Will Grant takes a photo looking into his phone camera inside Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.

A sneak peek inside Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium before World Cup kickoff

The BBC's Will Grant got access inside the renovated venue ahead of the first game of the tournament.

Latin America

A woman walks in front of a toppled statue of a World Cup player.

Protesters topple World Cup player statues in Mexico City

Teachers demanding higher pay have been demonstrating for several days and threaten to disrupt the tournament if their demands are not met.

Latin America

Three robodogs stand in the foreground with a Mexican police truck in the back.

Robodogs and helicopters: One Mexican city's approach to World Cup security

In the shadow of cartel violence, BBC’s Will Grant got a first-hand look at security plans in Monterrey.

Latin America

Split screen. Left, man building a home. Right, a home almost completed.

How Cuba is addressing its housing crisis with shipping containers

BBC's Will Grant visited Barrio Toledo, where at least 700 containers are being repurposed into two-bedroom homes with kitchens, bathrooms and patios.

Latin America

A handful of protestors run across the road with smoke rising in the background

Anti-government demonstrators and police clash in Bolivia

Protesters have been calling for the president to resign after weeks-long unrest.

Latin America

Shakira in a green top, her long brown hair loose, smiling on stage

Huge crowd attends free Shakira Copacabana beach concert

Shakira's appearance followed shows by Lady Gaga and Madonna, who have also performed on Copacabana beach in previous years.

Latin America

A woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and dressed in black, holds a piece of white paper

'I want them to know it's a really bad business to kill journalists'

Journalists are now able to upload their work to a website so that if anything were to happen to them, their work could still be published.

Latin America

Split screen. On one side, we see construction inside Benito Juárez International Airport. On the other side, we see Will Grant.

Will Mexico City's airport be ready for the World Cup?

The BBC takes a closer look at major renovations at Benito Juárez International Airport aimed at boosting capacity ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Latin America

Watch: Fire damages roof of Rio's Olympic velodrome

Around 80 firefighters and 20 fire trucks tackled the blaze, the state's military fire department said, adding that no one was hurt.

Latin America

Will Gran in a black short sleeve shirt on a street in Havana covered in trash

BBC looks at how Cubans are living with fuel shortages

The BBC's Will Grant spoke to several Cubans as the country grapples with severe electricity shortages, which is attributed in part to US sanctions.

Latin America

The two paramedics both wearing red stab vests and cameras, in their ambulance, on their way to an incident

Watch: BBC on streets of Mexican city gripped by deadly cartel violence

BBC international correspondent Quentin Sommerville travelled to Culiacán in northern Sinaloa state following an explosion in violence.

Latin America

BBC correspondent in Mexico standing in front of a burnt car with a Costco store visible in the background

BBC sees damage in Puerto Vallarta after Mexican cartel violence

BBC's Will Grant visits Puerto Vallarta, a popular coastal resort town, to see the damage.

Latin America

Composite: On the left, a BBC journalist speaking with his hands out in front of him. On the right, a burnt car is seen on a street.

BBC's Will Grant on the atmosphere in Mexico following unrest

The BBC's Will Grant describes how locals are feeling in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, after a wave of violence hit the streets.

Latin America

A man in a blue shirt speaking to camera on the left and a red and white wanted poster on the right

What the killing of drug lord 'El Mencho' means for Mexico

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", was killed during a security operation to arrest him, Mexico's defence ministry has said.

Latin America

A giant tortoise being released on the Galápagos island of Floreana

Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after nearly 200 years

One hundred and fifty eight captive-bred juvenile tortoises were released on the Galápagos island of Floreana.

Latin America

Split screen showing robot figure of Lula da Silva of the left, and giant realistic statue of Lula on the right during Carnival parade

Giant robot tribute to Brazil's President Lula comes last in carnival competition

Rio de Janeiro's iconic Carnival parades began with a tribute to Brazil's President Lula, illustrating his rise from poverty to power.

Latin America

Members of government rescue institutions aid a participant during an earthquake drill in Mexico City.

Search dogs, rescuers and helicopters as Mexico City holds earthquake drill

About 8.2 million people participated in the first drill of the year, achieving an average evacuation time of 1 minute and 52 seconds.

Latin America

A giant pink phantom jellyfish floating in deep and dark sea waters off Argentina

Watch: Giant phantom jellyfish floating off Argentina

A rare phantom jellyfish has been spotted by scientists exploring the deep sea in the South Atlantic.

Latin America