Atlanta Police, Cobb County Sheriff's Office Prepare Mounted Units for World Cup Crowds

Horses will be a constant presence at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and other World Cup venues in metro Atlanta this summer.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Atlanta Police Department and Cobb County Sheriff's Office have launched joint training sessions to prepare their mounted police units for the influx of international soccer fans expected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The officers are working to desensitize the horses to loud noises, marching bands, and other high-energy stimuli they may encounter at matches and fan events. The mounted units will provide a strategic advantage for crowd control and serve as approachable ambassadors for the city.

Why it matters

The collaboration between the two law enforcement agencies aims to create a seamless security presence as Atlanta hosts several high-profile World Cup matches, including five group-stage games, a Round of 32 match, a Round of 16 match, and one of the semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The details

The mounted police units from the Atlanta Police Department and Cobb County Sheriff's Office are conducting joint training sessions to prepare the horses for the World Cup crowds. The officers are exposing the horses to a variety of intense stimuli, such as loud noises, marching bands, and fireworks, to ensure they don't get spooked in the high-energy environments they'll encounter during the matches and fan events. The height of the horses allows the officers to monitor areas that would be invisible from the ground, providing a strategic advantage for crowd control. The officers also see the horses as approachable ambassadors who can help bridge the gap between law enforcement and international visitors, offering directions and assistance.

  • The joint training sessions between the Atlanta Police Department and Cobb County Sheriff's Office began in early February 2026.
  • The first World Cup match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is scheduled for June 15, 2026.

The players

Lt. Col. Tim Brown

An officer with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office who is overseeing the mounted unit's preparation for the World Cup.

Lt. Greg Lyon

An officer with the Atlanta Police Department who is involved in the joint training sessions for the mounted units.

Atlanta Police Department

The law enforcement agency for the city of Atlanta, collaborating with the Cobb County Sheriff's Office to prepare their mounted units for the World Cup.

Cobb County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Cobb County, Georgia, working with the Atlanta Police Department to train their mounted units for the World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“We train our horses with the Atlanta horses so they're all comfortable together as they patrol the different events in the city of Atlanta for the FIFA games.”

— Lt. Col. Tim Brown, Cobb County Sheriff's Office (newspub.live)

“Whether it be loud noises, marching bands, fireworks, etc. So, if you think about a World Cup and passionate fans that will come to the city, we want the horses to be sensitized to those type of stimuli.”

— Lt. Greg Lyon, Atlanta Police Department (newspub.live)

“You're 10 to 12 feet off the ground, and you can see what others on the ground cannot.”

— Lt. Greg Lyon, Atlanta Police Department (newspub.live)

“Let the fans enjoy the horses, maybe we can offer them directions, guide them as they're trying to navigate traffic.”

— Lt. Greg Lyon, Atlanta Police Department (newspub.live)

“The horses make a good impact and a good showing for us and the city of Atlanta.”

— Lt. Col. Tim Brown, Cobb County Sheriff's Office (newspub.live)

What’s next

The collaboration between the Atlanta Police Department and Cobb County Sheriff's Office will continue as they finalize preparations for the World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which begin on June 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The joint training of the mounted police units from Atlanta and Cobb County demonstrates the city's commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for the influx of international soccer fans expected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The horses will serve as both a strategic tool for crowd control and an approachable ambassador for the city, helping to bridge the gap between law enforcement and visitors.