safety
Soccer podcasters say FIFA’s success in Atlanta can be traced back to Atlanta United
By Berndt Petersen at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
The co-hosts of a popular soccer podcast in metro Atlanta say the World Cup has put Atlanta in the spotlight.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Along Sycamore Station in Decatur, it’s all soccer all the time.“I thought it was one of the hottest crowds in that building, rega...
Key takeaway “I thought it was one of the hottest crowds in that building, regardless of the sport,” Jon Nelson said.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The success of FIFA events in Atlanta can be seen as a direct result of the groundwork laid by Atlanta United. By bringing a professional soccer team to the city, Arthur Blank helped create a new generation of soccer fans. As co-host Jason Longshore noted, kids have grown up with Atlanta United, idolizing the players and donning their jerseys. This grassroots support has translated to a thriving soccer culture in the city, with huge crowds attending World Cup games and FIFA Fan Festivals in Centennial Olympic Park. The impact is also being felt in surrounding areas, such as Decatur, where soccer enthusiasm is palpable. The fact that international broadcasters are showcasing Atlanta Stadium's energetic crowds underscores the city's emergence as a soccer hub. As the World Cup continues to draw large audiences, it will be interesting to see how the city's safety measures hold up, particularly in areas like Centennial Olympic Park, where large crowds are gathering to watch the games.
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 .
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Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The co-hosts of a popular soccer podcast in metro Atlanta say the World Cup has put Atlanta in the spotlight.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Along Sycamore Station in Decatur, it’s all soccer all the time.“I thought it was one of the hottest crowds in that building, rega...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 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 safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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