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FIFA World Cup in Atlanta getting kindergartners excited about soccer
By Berndt Petersen at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
Even though they’re only 5 years old, the Sexton twins already know what they want to be when they grow up.“All my kids love watching it. One of my daughters keeps saying, ‘Mom, can I go to the World Cup?’ I’m like, yeah! Of course you can,” Allison Sexton, their mother, told Channel 2’s Berndt P...
Key takeaway Of course you can,” Allison Sexton, their mother, told Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The FIFA World Cup's presence in Atlanta is having a tangible impact on the city's youngest residents, with kindergartners like the Sexton twins developing a passion for soccer. This enthusiasm is likely to translate into increased participation in local soccer programs, a trend that Director John Murnan has observed in the past. As the World Cup brings international attention to Atlanta, it also presents an opportunity for local soccer organizations to capitalize on the excitement and grow the sport's popularity. In Cherokee County, where the Georgia Impact soccer camp is based, this could mean a surge in registration for youth soccer leagues and camps, particularly among girls who are inspired by the women's teams competing in the World Cup. As the city continues to host high-profile soccer events, it will be worth watching how this newfound interest in soccer among young Atlantans is nurtured and developed by local sports organizations.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Even though they’re only 5 years old, the Sexton twins already know what they want to be when they grow up.“All my kids love watching it. One of my daughters keeps saying, ‘Mom, can I go to the World Cup?’ I’m like, yeah! Of course you can,” Allison Sexton, their mother, told Channel 2’s Berndt P...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Berndt Petersen at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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