Some chants are impossible to forget.
For Dallas Austin, one in particular echoed through every corner of Atlanta—from high school games to the roaring stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Atlanta United matches.
“A-T-L! A-T-L! A-T-L!”
That unmistakable call became the heartbeat of a track that will forever represent the city on a global stage.
Atlanta’s Sonic ID: A Sound That Speaks for the City
When FIFA needed a Sonic ID for Atlanta—a signature track that would capture the spirit of the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—they turned to one of Atlanta’s own.
Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin took on the challenge, blending the city’s rich musical legacy with its undeniable sports culture. The result? A two-minute anthem that will resonate throughout Atlanta when the world’s biggest tournament comes to town.
👏👏👏 A-T-L 👏👏👏
“It’s very monumental, the feeling of it,” Austin said. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done here. College Park, going to high school here with me and Jermaine [Dupri], having the dream of making records one day… I feel like this year has been really monumental for me and Atlanta.”
The Influences: A Sound Born in the A
Austin’s musical resume speaks for itself. A Grammy-winning writer and producer, he’s worked with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, TLC, Boyz II Men, Madonna, and more. He’s not just a music icon—he’s also a devoted Atlanta United fan, even taking on the Spike Hitter role during a 2019 match against Rayados de Monterrey.
But for this project, Austin wasn’t just making a song—he was capturing a city’s identity.
“First, I had to wrap my head around it,” Austin said. “I heard some of the ones [FIFA] sent me before, but nobody was in a music city as much as Atlanta. We had to do something that felt a little more Atlanta, right?”
The Sonic ID is a blend of classic Atlanta sounds:
🔥 Marching band percussion 🎺
🔥 HBCU-style booming brass 🎷
🔥 808s & trap beats 🎼
🔥 Zaytoven, DJ Esco, Migos-inspired rap influence 🎤
It starts with the FIFA 2026 World Cup theme motif, leading into the iconic “A-T-L” chant over snare drums. Then, the marching band horns swell—before the beat drops into a full-on trap rhythm.
The track is Atlanta, through and through.
Soccer City’s Soundtrack
It’s only fitting that Atlanta—a city where soccer culture thrives—was chosen as a 2026 World Cup host. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will welcome eight matches, including group stage and knockout round fixtures.
Austin knows this will be a moment unlike anything the city has ever seen.
“It’s going to be insane,” he said. “We’ve had Super Bowls, NBA Playoffs, everything—but we’ve never seen anything like what’s going to happen when the World Cup shows up.”
At the heart of this global event will be a sound that defines Atlanta.
“The [A-T-L] chant was important,” Austin said. “I wanted to capture that feeling—the energy, the spirit, the pride—and put it into the track. It’s what Atlanta sounds like.”
Ambassador for the A
For Austin, this project was about more than music. It was about representing Atlanta on the world stage.
His work isn’t just shaping the sound of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—it’s helping define Atlanta’s cultural influence for years to come.
“It’s a good feeling to [have] grown up here,” Austin said. “There’s nothing like it. We’ve built our own creative culture, and now the world recognizes Atlanta for music, entertainment, and sports.”
With his Sonic ID, Austin is making sure the whole world hears what Atlanta is all about.
🔥 The Sound of 2026 is here. 🔥
👏👏👏 A-T-L! A-T-L! A-T-L! 👏👏👏
