PHOTOS: Atlanta gets ready for its World Cup close-up

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PHOTOS: Atlanta gets ready for its World Cup close-up

Atlanta is putting its best foot forward for the world and the World Cup. Murals, banners, new construction and the rebranded Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) will welcome soccer fans. The games start in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026.

The Atlanta skyline is shown along Centennial Olympic Park Drive as a large billboard shows advertisements promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Daniel Magues takes a cell phone photo of Johanna and Daniela Magues by the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park, where the FIFA Fan Fest will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. They are visiting from Ecuador and hope to find affordable tickets to see at least one game. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Muralist Jaleel Wimbush paints a mural on a wall along Forsyth Street on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A mural created by artists Vanna Black and Verations adorns the front of a building along Forsyth Street on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

An Atlanta streetcar makes a stop along Cenntenial Olympic Park Drive with a FIFA-related Home Depot ad covering the train on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

People walk by a large soccer inspired mural on the Georgia World Congress Center building A, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

An artist with Kato Art paints a mural along Broad Street on Monday, June 8, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A sign marks the "From Gates to Goals" exhibit celebrating the upcoming FIFA World Cup at Hartsfield-Jackson airport international terminal in Atlanta on May 27, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Atlanta police officers are seen installing a barricade near one of the gates at the FIFA Fan Festival, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Atlanta's first World Cup game is Monday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Workers prepare the final setups for what appears to be the main stage at the FIFA Fan Festival, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

People walk past one of the gates of the FIFA Fan Festival near Centennial Olympic Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Workers put a large soccer mural on the side of the Signia by Hilton next to Atlanta Stadium, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Workers prepare the final setups for the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. World Cup competition kicks off this week, with the first game in Atlanta on Monday, June 15. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Workers prepare the final setups for the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park . (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Workers prepare the final setups for the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

The Atlanta World Cup Stadium, also known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

The FIFA World Cup trophy is shown in an advertisement outside of Atlanta Stadium, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

A sign points to the FIFA Fan Festival outside of the Five Points MARTA station on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

The Atlanta skyline is shown along Centennial Olympic Park Drive as a large billboard shows advertisements promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

World Cup merchandise is shown for purchase at Terminal T at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

MARTA police Chief Scott Kreher's uniform name plate and FIFA 2026 MARTA pin on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

MARTA police Chief Scott Kreher's FIFA World Cup badge on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Mutliple murals line the exterior walls of the abandoned Atlanta Constituion building on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

An Artist with Kato Art paints a mural along Broad Street on Monday, June 8, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

New signage is placed inside the Five Points MARTA station on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A mural sits along Marietta Street in downtown Atlanta on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Mutliple murals line the walls of the abandoned Atlanta Constituion building on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

An ad is displayed on the outside of The Mitchell building lon Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Workers apply a Coca-Cola advertisement to the side of the Signia hotel on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A FIFA World Cup sign hangs on a light pole in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, June 4, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

New signage is placed inside the Five Points MARTA station on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Jessica Payden, an employee with the production company Premiere Entertainment, plays an interactive video game at the "From Gates to Goals" exhibit celebrating the FIFA World Cup at Hartsfield-Jackson airport international terminal in Atlanta on May 27, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Work continues preparing Cenntennial Olympic Park to host the upcoming FIFA Fan Festival on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

The Atlanta skyline is shown along Centennial Olympic Park Drive as a large billboard shows advertisements promoting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Atlanta. Atlanta Stadium’s first World Cup match is on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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