With the first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Atlanta just six days away, Mayor Andre Dickens joined city leaders, community partners and hundreds of young people Tuesday at C.T. Martin Recreation Center for a citywide pep rally and FIFA readiness update.
The event highlighted how years of planning across City government have now culminated into final operational readiness ahead of one of the world’s largest sporting events.
“Atlanta is ready,” Mayor Dickens said.
From transportation and public safety to infrastructure, youth programming, business support and cultural activations, departments across the City have spent the last four years preparing for the global event.
Big Readiness Efforts Already Underway
Transportation & Mobility
The Atlanta Department of Transportation has:
- Resurfaced more than two dozen miles of streets
- Restriped 200 intersections
- Installed 150 new streetlights
- Repaired 14 miles of sidewalks
- Launched Navigate Atlanta, a new one stop trip planning resource for residents and visitors
The City has also coordinated transportation operations with MARTA, GDOT and regional partners ahead of increased travel activity.
Public Safety & Emergency Planning
Atlanta has conducted:
- Multi agency operational drills and tabletop exercises
- Public safety coordination with local, state and federal agencies
- Emergency preparedness planning for transportation, crowds and infrastructure
Atlanta’s Joint Medical Operations and Mental Health Plan was also recognized by FIFA as a global best practice.
Water & Infrastructure Readiness
The Department of Watershed Management has:
- Installed 176 acoustic sensors to detect underground leaks
- Evaluated hundreds of miles of water infrastructure
- Completed infrastructure assessments around stadium and FIFA zones
- Developed emergency water continuity plans for major event areas
Airport Readiness
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, crews have:
- Opened five new gates as part of the Concourse D expansion
- Added new wayfinding and visitor experience improvements
- Completed roadway, restriping and refresh projects
- Installed the new 14 foot ATLAS digital sphere in the atrium
Community & Youth Programming
The City is also focused on ensuring the World Cup reaches neighborhoods across Atlanta.
Efforts include:
- More than 3,000 soccer balls being distributed through city programs
- Soccer camps, clinics and youth activities citywide
- Community watch parties and neighborhood activations
- FIFA themed murals and public art installations across Atlanta
Tuesday’s pep rally brought many of those efforts together with soccer activities, youth programming and community engagement on the city’s west side.
Councilmember Andrea Boone said the event reflected the importance of investing in Atlanta’s young people and neighborhoods.
“When a child steps onto a field, learns a new skill, and meets a coach, something powerful happens,” Boone said. “They begin to believe that they belong.”
Small Businesses & Culture Front and Center
Through Showcase Atlanta, the City has:
- Hosted more than 35 free business training workshops
- Connected over 1,500 residents to workforce and entrepreneur programming
- Built a vendor directory with more than 2,000 local businesses
- Distributed $200,000 in small business digital marketing support
- Funded free World Cup watch parties and neighborhood activations
Showcase Atlanta also announced that Atlanta rapper Ludacris will headline the free Celebration of Soccer and Sound festival at Piedmont Park on July 19.
Throughout the event, Mayor Dickens emphasized that Atlanta’s goal has always been to ensure the World Cup happens “with Atlanta, not to Atlanta.”
“This is bigger than eight matches,” Dickens said. “It’s an opportunity for Atlanta to showcase our excellence, our values and our people on a global stage.”
As the final countdown begins, Atlanta’s message is clear:
It’s on.
