Lessons from the World Cup

Just about everyone has a favorite team when it comes to the World Cup. Even people who dislike a certain country or two can find joy by rooting for the team the country they dislike is playing. 

This puts an interesting twist on the World Cup, and international sports in general, where people who aren’t usually sports fans join in on the fan activities.  

Atlanta’s time hosting games as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was no exception. It seemed like everyone was watching and talking about soccer, with everything from neighborhood watch parties going on in every pocket of the metro to attendance-record-breaking watch parties hosted in downtown Atlanta and Decatur. 

I love the atmosphere surrounding international sports. The way differences dissolve and cultures come together on an international level is hard to recreate.  

However, I urge anyone who experienced similar feelings for the first time during the 2026 World Cup to check out some of the other live sports opportunities and fandoms that Atlanta has to offer. In many ways, local sports can’t compare to international sports. But, for a handful of equally important reasons, local sports are just as good. 

As a diehard college sports fans, the comradery found around international sports and their watch parties are fairly similar to a college football tailgate. Opposing fans hanging out together, watching games together, eating, drinking, playing games, and enjoying the day before they turn into arch-rivals sitting at opposite ends of the stadium from each other.  

These events feature the same sort of atmosphere that international sports carry: people enjoying company and having fun instead of arguing about identity and politics.  

Don’t get me wrong, everything has its place. We need to argue; we need to debate. But we also need to remember we’re also human and we’re all on the same team, and sometimes sports can provide the reminder we all need. 

Atlanta is home to some of the best fanbases in the country as well as several storied franchises. Those looking for a continuation of what the World Cup started should check out an Atlanta United game. If you want something totally different but as true to Atlanta as it gets, head up to a Braves game. The city is also near several great SEC football schools, with tailgates at University of Georgia and Auburn University reachable by a day trip.  

Don’t let your fun with sports die as the World Cup ends, get tickets to something that might get you equally as interested and that happens multiple times a year in our own backyard. And the best part is: Atlanta already picked all of your favorite teams for you.