On June 16, FIFA announced that Atlanta would be one of 16 cities in North America to host the World Cup. The announcement, although exciting, was not surprising for those who have been closely watching the rise in popularity of soccer in Atlanta and other cities across the U.S.
Atlanta is no stranger to hosting sporting events. From the 1996 Summer Olympics, partially hosted on Tech’s campus, to the 2019 Super Bowl held in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta has successfully played the role of a host city. But hosting the World Cup is a new challenge.
The World Cup, held every four years, is one of the most anticipated and viewed international sporting events.