Soccer on WACN 21 News

World Cup: DR Congo and Uzbekistan face off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:15:00 -0400

The eyes of the soccer world turn to Atlanta tonight as Mercedes-Benz Stadium (officially referred to as Atlanta Stadium for the duration of the tournament) hosts a crucial Group K finale between DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 27, 2026. This match represents the third and final round of the group stage for both nations.

The Stakes: Knockout dreams vs. pride

For both teams, this match is a critical milestone in their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns, though their objectives differ significantly:

Spain routs Saudi Arabia 4–0 in Atlanta as Yamal and Oyarzabal shine at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 22:30:00 -0400

Spain left no doubt in their second Group H match, dismantling Saudi Arabia 4–0 Sunday evening at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a performance that emphatically erased memories of their opening-match draw.

A crowd of more than 71,000 watched the reigning European champions seize control inside the first quarter-hour and never look back.

Yamal sets the tone

Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old Barcelona winger who has become one of the tournament’s most electrifying talents, broke the deadlock in the 11th minute with a curling effort from the right side of the box that beat the Saudi goalkeeper at the near post.

Decatur WatchFest '26 turns downtown into an open-air World Cup party through July 19

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

If you can’t score a ticket to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Decatur has the next best thing.

The city’s downtown square has been transformed into an open-air World Cup viewing destination called WatchFest ‘26, featuring large-format screens broadcasting every televised match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through July 19.

The event, organized by the Decatur Downtown Development Authority in partnership with local restaurants and sponsors, launched on June 11 and has quickly become one of the most popular community-level watch-party destinations in metro Atlanta.

FIFA Fan Festival Opens at Centennial Olympic Park as Atlanta Gears Up for World Cup Matches

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The world’s biggest sporting event has arrived in Atlanta, and the party is already underway.

The official FIFA Fan Festival opened Wednesday at Centennial Olympic Park, transforming the 22-acre green space into a vibrant, open-air celebration of international soccer that will run through July 19. The festival serves as the city’s central gathering point for fans who want to experience the energy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — whether or not they hold a ticket to a match inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.