Potential crisis scenarios — including cyberattacks, water disruptions, protests, and terrorism — are among the situations Atlanta officials say they're prepared to handle during the FIFA World Cup this summer. With 54 days before the tournament arrives, city leaders assert readiness for approximately 300,000 visitors and international attention.
Community members have voiced skepticism. East Atlanta resident Cat Leatherwood told City Council members that the city should prioritize residents' wellbeing alongside visitor accommodations. Multiple speakers have questioned preparedness regarding housing and public safety.
Mayor Andre Dickens characterized the event as a "once-in-a-lifetime moment," highlighting airport planning, sufficient hotel capacity, and job opportunities for residents. The city offers low-interest loans for World Cup-ready small businesses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded Atlanta $52.2 million through its FIFA World Cup Grant program, part of $73.4 million allocated to the Host Committee, along with an additional $7.6 million drone grant for surveillance operations.
Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum announced the department is recruiting hundreds of officers statewide. Between 100–150 officers will work each of the first five matches, with approximately 200 for the final three matches — totaling roughly 700 downtown officers working 12-hour shifts with all leave canceled except for new parents, FMLA-eligible employees, and military personnel.
Community advocates, particularly Play Fair ATL, have criticized the city's approach, raising concerns about homeless relocation plans and potential criminalization. Partners for HOME has housed 450 downtown individuals, exceeding preliminary goals, though questions persist about long-term outcomes for those residents.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution