Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a press conference inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Monday, April 14, 2025. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta VoiceAtlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made an appearance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday afternoon. The fact that the 2026 FIF A World Cup and the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup is growing closer and closer to becoming a reality is beginning to set in on everyone involved in the quad-annual soccer tournament and globally popular sporting event.Atlanta United’s radio play-by-play voice Mike Conti introduced both Dickens and Infantino to a crowd of media and local representatives that included Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos and Cobb County Board of Commissioner member Lisa N. Cupid. “Atlanta’s inclusion as a host city in 2025 for the FIFA Club World Cup (June 14-July 13) and in 2026 for the FIFA World Cup is more than an honor,” said Dickens, who was surprised when he realized one of the official game balls had his name on it. “This is a great day in Atlanta.” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens with the official FIFA Club World Cup ball. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta VoiceCompanies such as Airbnb have also made appearances in Atlanta and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in anticipation of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Airbnb and AMBSE also debuted “Atlanta Unlocked,” which aims to educate residents about how to utilize Airbnb during the many events that will take place. The partnership also includes Showcase Atlanta, a local company that focuses on helping maximize the economic benefits of large-scale events for local small businesses and Operation HOPE.Monday was Infantino’s first visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, and he looked impressed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino (above) made his first visit to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, April 14, 2025. “The World Cup is coming to town,” Infantino said. “And since we love Atlanta so much, we don’t come here once, we come here twice.” “The World Cup is coming to town,” he said. “And since we love Atlanta so much, we don’t come here once, we come here twice.” The FIFA Club World Cup , formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, has been rebranded and Atlanta will be one of the featured cities taking part in that tournament this summer. “The Club World Cup is something new,” Infantino said. “The best clubs and the best players will compete and we will finally know who is the best club team in the world.” The FIFA Club World Cup trophy, which was made by Tiffany Co., was on display throughout the press conference.Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta VoiceWhat’s On TV:All 63 games of the FIFA Club World Cup can be watched for free on DAZN this summer.The post From Atlanta to the World: FIFA Club World Cup is just around the corner appeared first on The Atlanta Voice. ...read more read less