Atlanta readies citywide celebrations as 2026 FIFA World Cup buzz builds across America

ATLANTA, Ga. — Cities across North America are gearing up for the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Atlanta set to become a major hub for matches and fan events.

Even for people without tickets to games inside the stadium, Atlanta is preparing to celebrate across the city.

8 years ago in June of 2018, FIFA made the official announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be coming to North America.

“This has been quite a prep, we’ve been at this for over a year now. So now seeing it all finally come together it’s very exciting and terrifying at the same time,” says Atilla Meijs, Atlanta FIFA FanFestival Executive Producer.

Now, at Centennial Olympic Park, crews are putting finishing touches on a large fan fest that is expected to draw about 15,000 people per day.

The fan fest will include multiple areas for watching matches, including a 40-foot Jumbotron that organizers are promoting as a key place in North America to watch the opening stretch of games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

““We’ve got soccer communities that are gonna come play on our pitch, we’ve got podcasts, we’ve got stuff for kids going on like face panting I think we have folks selling honey we have a tattoo shop on certain days. So I really encourage everybody to check online for our daily programming, everyday we’ll have a new set,” Meijs says.

With the Spanish National Team currently in Chattanooga preparing for their first two games in Atlanta. there‘s already Chattanoogans in Atlanta

Spain’s National Team practicing at Baylor in Chattanooga. Image: WTVC

“I saw people from Chattanooga even coming over here. There was a mom with her son, they drove for an hour and a half just to look through the gates to see how the FIFA store was They’re so excited if you’re a soccer fan, you gotta be here,” Meijs says.

Atlanta’s first match is scheduled for next week, when Spain plays Cabo Verde at noon on Monday. The stadium is about 0.5 miles from Centennial Olympic Park.

“There’s a lot of excitement about this event. This is the best place to watch the match,” Meijs says.

For viewers who aren’t traveling to Atlanta, the World Cup will also be available to watch on Fox Chattanooga.