Atlanta hosts its first World Cup match today as Spain faces Cape Verde at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (or Atlanta Stadium during the tournament). Follow live updates throughout the day on traffic, the game and events surrounding the match.
And keep up to date on all things World Cup in Atlanta with our complete Atlanta World Cup guide to match schedules, Fan Fest details, watch parties, transportation information and more.
Atlanta began celebrating the World Cup last week with FIFA Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta and Decatur WatchFest on the Decatur Square.
The first day of FIFA Fan Fest featured performances from Summer Walker, Universoul Circus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and DJ Rasta Root. Rapper Big Boi headlined Decatur's event.
Both events run through July 19.
There are 160 MARTA ambassadors spread out across the system today to help guide riders.
Ambassadors — a mix of MARTA staff and volunteers — can give out directions and answer any questions that arise.
"Team MARTA is out on the system," MARTA spokesperson Angela Jetty said in an interview outside the SEC District station.
In addition to ambassadors, MARTA police and officers from the Denver transit agency are out on trains and platforms. EMTs are also stationed at downtown station platforms.
At the Vine City Station, house music is blaring as riders come and go.
Crowds were thin ahead of the noon match, with more MARTA police, staff and ambassadors than passengers.
Keith Andre performed at the FIFA Fan Fest Monday morning and was taking the train back home with his dance group.
Andre enjoyed seeing people wearing different jerseys dancing together at his show before the game.
“Seeing all the jerseys everywhere has been amazing,” he said.
The scene inside Atlanta Stadium right before kickoff, where it's a packed house.
FIFA has listed Atlanta Stadium's finalized capacity for the 2026 World Cup at 68,239.
Soccer fans descend on downtown Atlanta for 2026 FIFA World Cup. Today's game, Spain vs. Cape Verde, is the first game played in Atlanta. Those who didn't get tickets for Atlanta Stadium can check out activities at FIFA Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park.
Don't tell Cape Verde fans the odds.
The World Cup debutantes might be huge underdogs against Spain, but their fans feel like they've already won.
Outside of Atlanta Stadium, that joy was palpable for folks like Georgina Montero and her friends. Montero and 60 other Cape Verde fans traveled to Atlanta from Rotterdam, Netherlands.
"I have a lot of emotions," Montero told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"I'm proud of what they've accomplished because this is like a podium, a world podium for us."
Limited-edition FIFA World Cup Breeze cards are now available at select stations throughout the system, while supplies last — MARTA printed 100,000 in all.
As of today, riders can get the commemorative cards at the Airport, North Springs, SEC District, Vine City, Doraville, College Park and H.E. Holmes stations. You can also buy a special card at Ride Stores at the Airport and Sandy Springs stations.
Cards are being loaded into ticket vending machines at the Lindbergh, Ashby, West End, Peachtree Center, Sandy Springs, Indian Creek and Dunwoody stations and will be available there soon.
The Breeze cards cost $2. A one-way fare is $2.50, and multitrip and multiday passes are available.
During the 1996 Summer Olympics, MARTA issued more than 300,000 commemorative tokens, some of which are still floating around on eBay and other resale sites.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens kicked off the summit, which took place at the Metro Atlanta Chamber's offices, laying out the larger goals of playing host to the World Cup.
“Sports has become a bridge that connects countries, culture and businesses,” he said. “We are proud to support the strong and growing ties between Atlanta and Spain.”
About $1.7 billion in goods flowed between Spain and Georgia in 2024, more than double that of the group stage runners-up South Africa and Saudi Arabia, according to data from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Cape Verde, a chain of West African islands that plays Spain today, had less than $90,000 of total trade with Georgia last year.
Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, in April visited Spain to connect with several companies that have Georgia investments.
“This is obviously a match day, and we're going to be rooting for the best team to win today,” Kirkpatrick said. “But this is about building those long-lasting connections that help us grow over the next 30 years and grow the relationship between Spain and U.S.”
Ángeles Moreno Bau, Spanish ambassador to the United States, said the Atlanta business community’s advocacy over the decades is another thing they have in common. She called it Atlanta’s “moral legacy,” stretching back to civil rights and Martin Luther King Jr. — a legacy questioned currently by voting rights activists amid the silence over forthcoming partisan redistricting fights.
Bau pointed to Spain’s migrant worker population. Nearly 14% of the country’s workforce has migrant origins. Atlanta as a gateway American city draws comparisons, she added.
“We consider that inclusion is important, that it is important to fight against injustice, racism, discrimination and violence,” she said. “We feel very, very close to Atlanta. It is a great opportunity today to stress that connection.”
Atlanta leaders will repay the visit in the fall when the Atlanta Falcons play in Madrid. Dickens said he’ll be in attendance.
Fans supporting Cape Verde lined up Monday morning outside FIFA Fan Fest downtown. Michael Howard of Douglasville said he hoped to immerse himself in diverse culture, planning to spend an hour at the event before he goes to the game. He said his seats are in Section 346, the stadium's top deck, spending $450 on his ticket.
Other Cape Verde fans were able to secure tickets for even cheaper. Jaroony Monteo and Denzel Losantos arrived from the Netherlands. They said they were able to obtain seats in the 11th row behind a goal, paying $200 each for their tickets.
“We were born and raised in the Netherlands, and we traveled to (Cape Verde),” Monteo said. “We are proud of our country and to be here.”
Brothers Achint and Navneet Eswar of Atlanta said they spent $600 each for four tickets in Section 345. Achint said he wished tickets were more affordable and accessible so more diverse groups of people around the world would be able to attend.
A southbound red line train Monday morning was packed with soccer fans in jerseys and commuters heading to work.
At Five Points station, a MARTA ambassador waved crowds upstairs to transfer west toward the stadium.
MARTA is running train service every 5 minutes today and has reported minimal service disruptions as of 10:30 a.m.
Atlanta Streetcar services, which take fans to the Centennial Olympic Park area where the FIFA Fan Festival is being held, are also running today without issue.
Some riders may enter at stations without new faregates installed, but everyone should be prepared to pay when they exit. Riders can use a phone or bank card to tap-to-pay or purchase special commemorative World Cup Breeze cards while supplies last.
For fans headed downtown, the best way to plan a MARTA trip is itsmarta.com/ride/planner. The transit agency also posts service alerts on X, formerly Twitter, at @MARTAservice.