- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Atlanta Leaders Ring NYSE Bell as City Prepares for 2026 World Cup
Georgia governor and Atlanta mayor mark 100 days until first World Cup match in Atlanta
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Georgia leaders, including Governor Brian P. Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday morning to mark just over 100 days until the first FIFA World Cup 2026 match kicks off in Atlanta. Atlanta is one of 16 host cities across North America for the 2026 tournament, which will feature 104 matches in total.
Why it matters
The World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and hosting matches will bring significant economic benefits to the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia. State and city leaders are working to ensure a welcoming and celebratory experience for players, officials, and fans from around the world.
The details
The ceremony at the NYSE was attended by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Katie Kirkpatrick of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Dan Corso of the Atlanta Sports Council. Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium between June 15 and July 15, 2026, featuring teams from Spain, Cabo Verde, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Haiti, Uzbekistan, and more.
- The Opening Bell ceremony took place on Monday, March 2, 2026.
- The first World Cup match in Atlanta will be held on June 15, 2026.
- The World Cup tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The players
Brian P. Kemp
The governor of Georgia.
Andre Dickens
The mayor of Atlanta.
Burt Jones
The lieutenant governor of Georgia.
Katie Kirkpatrick
The president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Dan Corso
The president of the Atlanta Sports Council.
What they’re saying
“As a host city, we are deeply committed to ensuring that your players, officials, and fans feel welcomed and celebrated. From arrival to the final whistle, your delegation will be met with exceptional hospitality, robust security, and an incredibly passionate soccer community.”
— Brian P. Kemp and Andre Dickens, Governor of Georgia and Mayor of Atlanta (cbsnews.com)
“We are honored to host your nation and proud to welcome the world to Atlanta.”
— Brian P. Kemp and Andre Dickens, Governor of Georgia and Mayor of Atlanta (cbsnews.com)
What’s next
State and city officials are working with public and private partners to coordinate transportation, accommodations, training facilities, and fan experiences across Atlanta and Georgia in preparation for the 2026 World Cup matches.
The takeaway
The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a major opportunity for Atlanta and Georgia to showcase their hospitality, infrastructure, and passion for soccer on a global stage. The economic benefits of hosting matches are expected to be significant, and local leaders are committed to ensuring a welcoming and memorable experience for all participants and fans.
