Press Release
Atlanta, GA – June 16, 2022 – Today the governing body for global soccer competitions, FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), announced Atlanta, Georgia as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played across North America. The match(es) will take place at Mercedes Benz Stadium which is home to the Atlanta United Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise and opened to the public in August of 2017.
The World Cup is a quadrennially held, month long competition for 48 qualifying nations; the 2022 Cup will be hosted by Qatar this Fall.
“With today’s announcement the Georgia Chamber would like to heartily congratulate Governor Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Sports Council, the Atlanta CVB and the Atlanta United ownership and management team on this truly historic accomplishment,” said Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark. “This group effort to once again bring the eyes of the sporting world to Atlanta for the 2026 World Cup is an exciting opportunity for all involved.”
“The 1996 Olympics brought in an estimated $5 billion dollars into Georgia’s economy and we certainly see how the World Cup presence, with its potential for tens of billions of dollars in economic impact across North America, will benefit the Atlanta metro area. We encourage businesses of all sizes to begin looking at ways in which they can participate and promote the quality goods and services offered by Georgia’s companies.”
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