Inside the CT Martin Recreation Center on Atlanta’s west side on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, city leaders invited the community to celebrate the upcoming World Cup. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host its first match on June 15.
(Marlon Hyde/WABE)
Sneakers squeak as kids run around, kicking soccer balls, like 9-year-old Brave Lambert.
“My favorite part about today is soccer because it’s a fun activity and a good sport for me,” said Lambert.
Inside the CT Martin Recreation Center on Atlanta’s west side on Tuesday, city leaders invited the community to celebrate the upcoming World Cup. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host its first match on June 15.
While kids played, city officials delivered an update on preparations for the global soccer tournament at a community pep rally. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says after years of planning, we are ready.
“By Atlanta’s first match, ATLDOT will have resurfaced more than two dozen miles of streets, restriped 200 intersections, installed 150 new streetlights, and repaired 14 miles of sidewalks,” said Dickens.
As the city prepares for hundreds of thousands of visitors, Dickens adds that the airport has undergone several improvements to help travelers navigate.
Students and volunteers from across Atlanta’s west side attended the pep rally at C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
Lamar Stewart with Showcase Atlanta says its business directory is ready to go. It’s designed to connect international visitors to the city’s entrepreneurs.
“Now we have over 2,000 local businesses signed up, and that includes over 900 Black-owned businesses, over 700 woman-owned businesses,” said Stewart.
Officials expect the World Cup to generate significant economic activity.
Jase Kurtz, the 12-year-old owner of Jase’s Lemonade, gave out his signature drink to thirsty kids at the event. He earned a $30,000 grant through Showcase Atlanta’s Youth Entrepreneurship Accelerator and will be a vendor during the World Cup.
“This program actually helped me in a lot of ways. I learned to get out of my comfort zone instead of just being non-talkative. I actually talk in front of people and get real feedback. Also, I get to be a part of FIFA, which I never thought I would ever do,” said Kurtz.
In addition, during the World Cup, several free concerts and fan festivals are planned around the city. Atlanta is also hosting several summer and soccer camps for the youth. Meanwhile, some communities will see new FIFA-themed murals go up, which Mayor Dickens says will celebrate Atlanta’s culture.
“The World Cup is bigger than just eight matches, you guys. It’s an opportunity for a young person in Atlanta to see new possibilities. It’s an opportunity for small businesses to reach new customers,” said Dickens.
The community event was done in partnership with U.S. Soccer’s legacy initiative, Soccer Forward.
“We have about 400 kids behind me running around in the gym and outside on the pitch kicking balls, getting to know the sport, discovering new skills, new things that they haven’t done before, and falling in love with the game,” said Turan Mullins, U.S. Soccer Federation vice president for inclusion and engagement.
He says the goal is to expand access to soccer and support communities.
“I think it’s very important anytime we can get kids closer to sports or activities that help them connect what they’re learning in school to something that they’re experiencing in life,” said Mullins.
He says U.S. Soccer is hosting tons of activations in Atlanta and continues to engage with the local community around its new home in Fayetteville.
A community event on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, was done in partnership with U.S. Soccer’s legacy initiative, Soccer Forward. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
MARTA under federal investigation
However, city leaders and MARTA riders remain concerned about safety. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is encouraging the transit authority to work with local police departments to beef up security.
The federal government has launched an investigation into safety on metro Atlanta transit following multiple violent crimes, including the killing of Margaret Swan, an elderly woman who was fatally stabbed while on a public MARTA train.
“Those unfortunate incidents have definitely dealt MARTA a black eye,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
“Those unfortunate incidents have definitely dealt MARTA a black eye. You never want that to happen at any time, and you certainly don’t want it to happen while you’re welcoming the world and encouraging them to take public transportation so that we can easily get them from A to B,” said Dickens.
Dickens says that he is only responsible for what’s directly in the city’s footprint, but he remains in communication with MARTA to see where he can be most helpful.
City officials delivered an update on preparations for the global soccer tournament at a community pep rally on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says after years of planning, we are ready. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)
“Things such as do they need help with extra police, law enforcement, whether at the stations, on the trains, or around the stations, or in the parking lot,” said Dickens.
He says he remains optimistic that the transit authority will be able to step up and meet the moment.
