COBB COUNTY, Ga. — As Atlanta readies itself for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, neighboring Cobb County is preparing for a major role behind the scenes, with several participating national teams expected to use local facilities as training bases.
County leaders say the presence of World Cup teams will draw large crowds of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite players — and that preparation is already well underway.
“The more popular the team, the more crowds we can anticipate,” said Cobb County Emergency Management Agency Director Cassie Mazloom.
Increased Public Safety and Security Planning
Cobb County officials anticipate heightened demands on public safety, transportation, and emergency management during the tournament period. To address those needs, the county has applied for millions of dollars in federal grant funding.
Those funds would be used to:
- Provide training and overtime for public safety personnel
- Enhance the county’s ability to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activity
- Bolster coordination between local, state, and federal agencies
“We really have to be conscientious in our planning, to make sure we’re very detailed, to make sure we’re ready to meet that demand from a public safety standpoint,” said Cobb County Public Safety Director Mike Register.
Experience Hosting Major Sporting Events
While the World Cup presents a unique challenge, Cobb County is no stranger to hosting major international sporting events. Most recently, the county successfully hosted MLB All-Star Week at Truist Park, giving officials valuable experience in crowd management and interagency coordination.
“You look at MLB All-Star Week, it was a condensed area — this is going to be spread out,” Register explained.
That broader footprint, combined with the global nature of the World Cup, adds new layers of complexity.
International Fans and Unique Challenges
Officials noted that the influx of international supporters will require additional preparation, including multilingual coordination and heightened situational awareness.
“You’re going to have fans from across the globe,” Register said. “Of course we have an international airport in Cobb County that we’ll be addressing from a public safety standpoint.”
The county’s proximity to Atlanta’s World Cup venues, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, positions Cobb as a key support hub throughout the tournament.
What’s Next in the Planning Process
Cobb County leaders have already held multiple planning sessions with local, state, and federal partners and say those meetings will continue regularly leading up to the tournament.
“I’m honored to be part of a county that will host FIFA,” Register said. “I’m looking forward to a very enjoyable, safe event.”
One major detail remains unknown: which national teams will train in Cobb County. Officials say that information is not expected to be finalized until March.
Why This Matters for Metro Atlanta Soccer
With Atlanta hosting eight World Cup matches, including a semifinal, the surrounding metro area will play a critical role in the tournament’s success. Training sites like those in Cobb County often become fan magnets, media hubs, and cultural gathering points during the World Cup.
For local soccer fans, it could mean rare, up-close access to some of the world’s biggest stars — all before they take the field on the global stage.
Call to Action
Which national teams would you like to see train in Cobb County?
Will you be trying to catch a World Cup training session next summer?
Share this article with fellow soccer fans and follow AtlantaSoccer.News for ongoing coverage of World Cup 2026 planning, training sites, and Atlanta-area soccer news as the countdown to kickoff continues.
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez is the founder and president of Atlanta Soccer News, which has covered Georgia soccer since 1991. He brings a sharp eye for the game and deep respect for the people who built it, from high school rivalries and youth academies to ADASL, pre-professional clubs, Atlanta United, and the national teams. His work connects the action on the field with the coaches, players, families, and communities behind it. For Quique, every match is part of a bigger Georgia soccer story—and the next chapter is always worth telling.