ATLANTA – Atlanta has been tapped to host a series of major soccer matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On Saturday, FIFA announced that Atlanta was one of 11 cities invited to host the 2025 Club World Cup Tournament. The matches will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025 and will be part of “the largest stand-alone global club football event ever staged with the best of 32 clubs from all over the world.”

The matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. We won’t know who the official teams are until after the draw in December.

“Mercedes-Benz Stadium has quickly become known for hosting the biggest soccer matches in the U.S., and we are excited to add the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to the roster,” says Doug Roberts, vice-president stadium events and premium sales. “We are proud to have the opportunity bring global audiences to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in such a meaningful way ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 SCHEDULE

Besides the Benz, here are the other venues chosen to host the 63 matches:

• TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH
• Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
• Rose Bowl Stadium – Los Angeles, CA
• Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, FL
• GEODIS Park – Nashville, TN
• MetLife Stadium – New Jersey
• Camping World Stadium – Orlando, FL
• Inter&Co Stadium – Orlando, FL
• Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA
• Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
• Audi Field – Washington, D.C.

The Atlanta Falcons (1-2) and New Orleans Saints (2-1) will renew their rivalry at 1 p.m. Sunday, when Atlanta hosts New Orleans inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

While only Week 4, Sunday’s contest presents the opportunity for an early season swing in the NFC South.

Here’s how — and what — to watch …

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TV, Radio

Sunday’s game will be televised on FOX, with Kenny Albert handling play-by-play duties alongside analyst Jonathan Vilma, who played for the Saints from 2008-13. Megan Olivi is set to be on the sidelines.

The radio is also an option, as 92.9 The Game has Wes Durham and Dave Archer on the call.

Betting Odds

The Falcons are 3-point favorites over the Saints with a money line of -152, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is set at 41.5 points.

READ MORE: Falcons Keys to Beating Saints

Injury Report

Atlanta will enter Sunday without starting right tackle Kaleb McGary, who suffered a left knee injury in last week’s 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. McGary did not participate in practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited Friday.

The Falcons limited running back Bijan Robinson (shoulder) and outside linebacker Matt Judon (hamstring) in Thursday’s practice, but both were off the injury report Friday and will play Sunday.

New Orleans, however, isn’t as fortunate.

The Saints have ruled out linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring), guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and receiver A.T. Perry (hamstring).

Three others are questionable, including the team’s top two offensive weapons in running back Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) and receiver Chris Olave (hamstring). Receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) is also uncertain to play.

Matchup History

New Orleans holds a 55-54 advantage over Atlanta in the all-time series, and the Saints have won seven of the last nine meetings.

The two sides split a pair of matchups last year, though New Orleans took a 48-17 victory in the season finale — a game that preceded the Falcons firing head coach Arthur Smith later that night.

Atlanta has only one home victory over New Orleans since 2018, but four of the five defeats have come by one score and all of them have been by 10 points or less.

Now, the Falcons and Saints get to add another chapter to their long-standing rivalry — in addition to making a Week 4 statement in a competitive NFC South title race.

ATLANTA – Metro Atlanta is drying out after Helene barreled through the area. The storm toppled trees, tore down power lines and submerged streets. Some roads were so inundated that people in some neighborhoods actually took to boats to get around. 

Woodland Brook Drive was swamped. The only way people could get down the road was by boat. So a good Samaritan took out his motorboat to give his neighbors rides to their homes. 

Angela Wells and her son set out on their neighbor’s boat for a ride across troubled waters. “There’s no way to get there by street,” Wells said. 

Rain submerged her street in the Brandy Station subdivision of Vinings. “It is totally flooded,” Wells said. “Our whole front yard is flooded, and we have standing water in our basement.” 

Woodland Brook Drive looked more like the Everglades than a residential road. 

There’s no way Price Connor and her little dog Pippi could navigate their washed-out street. “No, I sure can’t,” Connor said. “It would be over our heads. And Pippi’s little, so she couldn’t take the water. I’m afraid there are snakes in there too.” 

So, Andrew Link revved up his motorboat and ferried flooded-out friends to their houses. “Just to help them get to their homes faster,” Link said. 

Some Georgians were getting around by boat after Helene tore through the state on Sept. 27, 2024 (FOX 5)

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Torrential rain flooded Brandy Station, which sits right beside the Chattahoochee River. “Eight to 12 inches of rain in Atlanta, next to the river, you’re going to see some flooding,” link said. “It’s 12-and-a-half feet deep out there.” 

Link says he is just being a good neighbor. “Why not? It’s good karma,” he said.