Atlanta mayor hosts FIFA president as they prep for two summers of World Cup action

Caption

Mayor Dickens spoke about the upcoming Club World Cup games this summer and the World Cup in 2026 during an event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 14, 2025

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens welcomed FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the city Monday with an event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta is preparing to host six Club World Cup games starting in June and eight World Cup games in 2026.

Infantino said the stadium is a beautiful venue and sees it as a place to unite fans.

“Since we love Atlanta so much, Mayor, we thought we don't come only once, we have to come twice, and you have to bring two World Cups to Atlanta,” he said. “A World Cup is like plenty of Super Bowls. So we'll have 14 Super Bowls, Mayor, in two months here in Atlanta.”

The event included a ceremonial unveiling of the Club World Cup trophy. Infantino also announced that the International Federation of Association Football would donate $1 million to Atlanta for youth initiatives.

Dickens said the money will go toward engaging and educating kids.

“We're going to have a team that's planning, where do we place this,” he said. “Do we create little soccer fields, or do we go out here and create engagement opportunities and activities that they can participate in during this summer?”

The city is also organizing small businesses through Showcase Atlanta to help them benefit from the millions of soccer fans spending money in the city. Dickens said the city has increased its revenue projections for this event.

“If we do this right, this could be over a billion dollars in revenue as we look to make sure that these companies and businesses and people stay longer than just one or two matches,” he said.

Dickens said the city is coordinating to create watch parties, cultural festivals and other activations beyond downtown for people to celebrate.

The first World Cup club games will begin in Atlanta on June 14.