Atlanta Promotes World Cup Readiness in Madrid
By Jonathan Trager
The Atlanta CVB (ACVB) touted the city’s preparedness to host matches during FIFA World Cup 2026 at a late-April media event in Madrid, Spain.
During the presentation, which took place at the museum Legends: The Home of Football, Andrew Wilson, ACVB’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the Georgia city’s infrastructure, hospitality, and international accessibility.
Atlanta is one of the U.S. host cities selected for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. The Madrid gathering was held to engage international partners and emphasize Atlanta’s capacity to welcome global visitors.
“The World Cup is an opportunity to show the world the transformation Atlanta is undergoing,” said Wilson. “We want Spanish fans to feel that Atlanta is not just another host city, but a world-class destination that truly lives and breathes football.”
In addition to touting the city’s convention infrastructure, hotel capacity, and experience hosting major global events, the presentation also underscored Atlanta’s cultural offerings, diverse neighborhoods, and reputation as a hub for sports and entertainment.
The event included the unveiling of a jersey belonging to former Atlanta United captain and U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Brad Guzan, which was presented to the Legends collection as a nod to the city’s soccer heritage. Guzan’s jersey will remain on display at the Madrid-based museum as a tribute to the connection between Atlanta’s soccer culture and the global game.
The Madrid event is part of a broader international outreach strategy aimed at strengthening relationships with travel partners and raising awareness of Atlanta’s role in the tournament, expected to draw millions of visitors.
Atlanta previously hosted the 1996 Olympic Games and has since staged numerous large-scale sporting events, experience officials say will be critical in planning for the World Cup.
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