FIFA marks 100-day countdown to 2026 World Cup in Atlanta

100 days until FIFA World Cup begins

Tuesday marks 100 days until the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 104 days until the first match kicks off in Atlanta. 

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially hit a major milestone. As of today, there are just 100 days remaining until the world's biggest sporting event kicks off across North America.

What we know:

To mark the occasion, Atlanta is currently playing host to a critical FIFA team workshop at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

The workshop brought together FIFA officials and team representatives from 40 nations. This gathering is a key step in moving from the planning phase into final execution for the tournament.

According to officials, the meetings are focused on several critical areas:

• Match Operations: Streamlining the flow of the games.
• Logistics: Managing team travel and stay.
• Technology & Infrastructure: Evaluating field conditions and tech requirements to ensure a seamless experience.

What they're saying:

FIFA officials expressed excitement about Atlanta serving as a host city, specifically highlighting the city’s reputation for welcoming guests.

"What makes Atlanta very special... is the hospitality," said FIFA Chief Event Operations Officer Heimo Schirgi. "Southern hospitality is not just a myth. Atlanta shows up like not many other cities do." 

Despite brewing international conflicts in the Middle East, the message from organizers in Atlanta remains clear: the energy is growing, and the city is ready to show the world how it "shows up" for major events.

What's next:

The team workshop in downtown Atlanta is scheduled to continue through tomorrow.

Local perspective:

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on June 11 with an opening match in Mexico City featuring Mexico and South Africa. Atlanta’s first match is scheduled for June 15, when Spain faces Cape Verde.