One Year Out: How Atlanta is Preparing for the 2026 World Cup

Today marks one year out until the 2026 World Cup begins, and the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee held a celebration to announce new initiatives to bring fans together, highlight Atlanta's culture and to look ahead at what is to come before June 15, 2026.

This briefing brought together all the members from the AWCHC and key stakeholders from all over the state of Georgia to detail their efforts to prepare for the World Cup.

“The FIFA World Cup is about more than matches; it’s about people, culture, and the kind of energy and hospitality only Atlanta can bring,” said Dan Corso, Atlanta Sports Council and AWCHC president. “Today is a celebration of our progress and our passion. From our world-class stadium and infrastructure to the unmatched energy of our communities, Atlanta is proud to be part of this historic moment. These next 12 months will center around what makes our city special and ensuring the legacy of this event is felt for years to come.”

There were three different panels that featured representatives from Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), City of Atlanta, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Atlanta Police Department, Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), MARTA, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport who outlined their plans for the eight matches being held here next summer.

“Atlanta has long been a global sports destination, and hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 is the next chapter in that legacy. This moment is about far more than the matches themselves — it’s about welcoming the world and creating lasting memories," said Tim Zulawski, President of AMB Sports and Entertainment. "From the world-class experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to the meaningful legacy work happening in neighborhoods across Georgia, we’re committed to delivering a World Cup that represents the very best of the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia to the world.”

One initiative announced today will be the FIFA Fan Festival, which is in partnership with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. The festival will take place in Centennial Olympic Park. This historic park will be celebrating 30 years since the 1996 Olympics in 2026, and will host fans and Atlanta locals throughout the tournament.

“We’re proud to host Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park — 30 years after the 1996 Olympic Games brought global attention to our city. For nearly three weeks, fans from around the world will gather to experience the energy, culture, and community that define Atlanta and the state of Georgia," said Kevin Duvall, the Chief Executive Officer, Georgia World Congress Center Authority. "The city’s deep passion for soccer will be on full display, making the Fan Festival not just a celebration of the sport, but a reflection of how strongly the game lives in Atlanta. This event honors our legacy as an international gathering place and reflects our continued role in hosting major events in the heart of downtown.”

The AWCHC also announced their Legacy Project which will help with the development of a new StationSoccer location in Hamilton E. Holmes MARTA Station in partnership with Soccer In the Streets and Atlanta's host city supporters.

There will also be a collaboration between the AWCHC and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia Partnership where it will focus on dleivering programs and resources in communities including Albany, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Fayetteville, Gainesville, Macon, Rome, Savannah, Statesboro, Valdosta, Thomasville, Brunswick, and Blue Ridge — to spread the legacy of the FIFA World Cup to every corner of Georgia.

If you are around Atlanta, you will also see the Official FIFA World Cup Atlanta countdown clock located outside the GWCCA. The AWCHC launched the countdown clock campaign across multiple billboards and the downtown area counting down the days until the World Cup is here in Atlanta.

The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner! We will have more updates and news leading up to next summer here on the SDH Network!