PHOTOS: World Cup fans descend on Atlanta for first local match

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PHOTOS: World Cup fans descend on Atlanta for first local match

Spain vs. Cape Verde draws soccer fans early to downtown Atlanta for the first World Cup games played at Atlanta Stadium on Monday, June 15, 2026.

A Cape Verde fan reacts at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans react at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A Spain fan stands among the crowd at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A fan reacts at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A fan reacts at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans cheer at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A young Spain fan joins in the fun as Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Artist Santhna paints a large inflated soccer ball while onlooker pass by before the Spain vs Cabo Verde World Cup game in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Cape Verde fans celebrate following a 0-0 draw at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. It’s Cape Verde’s first World Cup. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A young Cape Verde fan reacts in the final minutes at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Spain fan Zoe Zagotti reacts at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Spain fans react at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Kids rest under the shade of an umbrella at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fans cheer at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

A fan of Spain walks in front of a spanish mural before the Spain vs Cabo Verde World Cup game in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Lachelle Parker, left, claps after Cabo Verde ties with Spain during the FIFA World Cup at the Decatur Fan Fest in Decatur, Ga., on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A Cabo Verde fan talks on the phone while celebrating the tie to Spain during the FIFA World Cup at the Decatur Fan Fest in Decatur, Ga., on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A couple holds feet as they watch the FIFA World Cup at the Decatur Watch Fest in Decatur, Ga., on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Cape Verde fans cheer at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Spain fans take cover from the heat at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Spain fans cheer at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Cape Verde fan Olivia Cruz watches the match at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Adrian Gonzales, 11, takes a picture with Falcon’s mascot Freddie Falcon at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Spain fans point at the screen at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Fans wearing Atlanta United jerseys attend FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Police officers walk through FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Mac Wood (center), 10, races for the ball at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park before the Spain and Cape Verde match at the the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Inside the SEC District MARTA station as fans attend the first FIFA match held in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A MARTA Police officer and her k9 patrol the SEC District MARTA station as fans attend the first FIFA match held in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A MARTA Ambassador helps a man and woman Inside the SEC District MARTA station as fans attend the first FIFA match held in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Spain fans walk near Centennial Olympic Park before the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans head toward Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans walk past The CTR ATL on their way to Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans gather near Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans near Centennial Olympic Park head toward Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans near Centennial Olympic Park head toward Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Soccer fans walk toward Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) for the match between Spain and Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Fans of Spain snacking before the Spain vs. Cape Verde Group H match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kids play a game of soccer during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Kids play a game of soccer during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

People pose for a photo during the FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Cabo Verde fans dance on the sidewalk in Downtown Atlanta following the World Cup game and the FIFA Fan Festival on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Quovadis Wright instructs fans as they enter the SEC District Marta station following the World Cup game in Downtown Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Okorie “OkCello” Johnson plays in the SEC District Marta station as fans leave the World Cup game in Downtown Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Marta Station Agent Morris uses a bullhorn to keep fans moving smoothly into the SEC District Marta station following the World Cup game in Downtown Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Rali Patel, 6, plays with a large inflated soccer ball on the Founder Green in Atlanta, June 15, 2026. (Estela Muñoz/AJC)

Fans react to the Egypt vs. Belgium FIFA World Cup game at The Brewhouse Cafe in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Fans react to the Egypt vs. Belgium FIFA World Cup game at The Brewhouse Cafe in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

A child waves a Cape Verde flag outside the Vine City MARTA station as fans attend the first FIFA match held in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

A MARTA employee holds a sign inside the Five Points MARTA station as fans attend the first FIFA match held in Atlanta on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

A Cape Verde fan reacts at FIFA Fan Festival in Centennial Olympic Park during the Spain and Cape Verde match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on June 15, 2026. It’s the first of eight World Cup matches to take place in Atlanta. The match was a 0-0 draw. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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