PHOTOS: A little rain can't stop Atlanta World Cup fans

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PHOTOS: A little rain can't stop Atlanta World Cup fans

Rain was in the forecast, but World Cup fans brought their own sunshine to the second game at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) where Czechia faced South Africa.

South Africa fans celebrate the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Nthabi Mohale celebrates a goal during the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Nthabi Mohale celebrates a goal during the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

South Africa fans celebrate the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A couple waves a South Africa flag during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Soweto Street Beat performs before the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

People react to the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A family poses for a photo during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Nthabi Mohale sings the national anthem in the rain before the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Soweto Street Beat performs before the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Yvonne Baloyi waves the South Africa flag during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A group of fans react during the South Africa vs Czechia World Cup game at Fan Fest in Centennial park in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Michal Prochazka reacts after a play by Czechia at Fan Fest in Centennial park during the South Africa vs Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Bianca Katuuo watches the South Africa vs Czechia World Cup game at Fan Fest in Centennial park in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Nthabi Mohale, center, sings the South Africa national anthem at Fan Fest in Centennial park ahead of the South Africa vs Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Soccer fans head to Atlanta Stadium for the South Africa vs. Czechia match on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A mass of people exit the SEC District MARTA station on three escalators ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

A family takes a photo in front of Atlanta Stadium ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia match on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A group poses for a selfie outside of Atlanta Stadium ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

South Africa fans run to Atlanta Stadium in the rain for the South Africa vs. Czechia match on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

The Groovy Groove Band plays outside SEC District MARTA station ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Soccer fans walk in the rain to Atlanta Stadium for the South Africa vs. Czechia match on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

People exit the SEC District MARTA station ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

A mass of people exit the SEC District MARTA station on three escalators ahead of the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

South Africa fans Felicia Maiola, left, and Xoli Masoka, right, react to South Africa scoring on a penalty kick during the second half World Cup game against Czechia in Atlanta at FIFA Fan Fest, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

South Africa fans Nthabi Mohale, center, reacts to South Africa scoring on a penalty kick during the second half World Cup game against Czechia in Atlanta at FIFA Fan Fest, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

South Africa fans Patrick Akben, center, reacts to South Africa scoring on a penalty kick during the second half World Cup game against Czechia in Atlanta at FIFA Fan Fest, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

South Africa fan Mantsane Motlokoa reacts to South Africa scoring on a penalty kick during the second half World Cup game against Czechia in Atlanta at FIFA Fan Fest, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

A fan nervously watches during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

South Africa fans celebrate the South Africa vs. Czechia World Cup game during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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