- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,214,625
- Reaction score
- 59
Wednesday 6/24, 11 a.m.
As Ghana prepared to face off against England on Tuesday, hundreds of soccer fans around the city gathered for watch parties.
Mawuena Agbonyitor, who is part Ghanaian, proudly waved a flag at the watch party at Decatur Square. She traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend her first World Cup game.
“Getting into the games, that’s always fun, talking about it with friends is fun,” Agbonyitor told Capital B Atlanta. “[But] there are a lot of concerns going into this World Cup, seeing a lot of unfairness with ticket prices, people with visa issues.”
Haitian brothers Litz and Jonathan Simon came up from Florida for today’s World Cup match between Haiti and Morocco but stopped by Decatur to root for Ghana in their highly anticipated match against England.
Haitian brothers Litz (right) and Jonathan (left) Simon came up from Fort Meyers, Florida, for the World Cup match between Haiti and Morocco. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B Atlanta)
“I’m just looking for a good game,” Litz shared.
Ghana fans Madison and Harrison Boadus show up at the watch party in Decatur. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
The brothers are also looking forward to checking out the Atlanta food scene between matches. “I hear a lot of good things about the food in Atlanta, especially like the wings, lemon pepper to be exact,” Jonathan said.
For siblings Madison and Harrison Boadus, who came from Dallas, the match against England was personal since their father is from Ghana.
“We’re half Ghanaian, so this is our country,” Madison told Capital B Atlanta. “We’re rooting for them, and I’m telling you they are going to win.”
They attended the Decatur watch party with their friend Decaria Harris and they all plan to travel Saturday to Philadelphia to see Ghana play again.
“You got to think football is the sport of the world, so it’s like you’ve got to support it,” Harrison said. “It brings out the culture.”
Fans were excited to see Ghana hold their own against England as the match ended 0-0. England hadn’t lost to an African country at the World Cup in its past nine matches.
The Campbell family was hanging out at FanFest at Centennial Park on Tuesday. They came from Barbados to watch today’s match between Haiti and Morocco. Jonathan Campbell, a footballer with a masters team in Barbados called Bedrock United, is especially keen to see the matches.
Antoine Semenyo (left) of Ghana attempts to shoot but is blocked by Reece James of England during Tuesday’s World Cup in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“It looks like there will be a lot of upsets, but it’s going to be a very fun World Cup.”
Jonathan Campbell, a footballer with a masters team in Barbados, is especially keen to see the matches. “It looks like there will be a lot of upsets, but it’s going to be a very fun World Cup,” he said. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
— Naji Rutherford.
Wednesday 6/17, noon
“The African Game” is a collection of images shot across multiple African countries by Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
Between matches, World Cup fans can enjoy another aspect of the game by exploring the sport they love through the lens of the diaspora.
The African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), located at Pittsburgh Yards, is featuring The African Game, a visually striking exhibition of images shot across multiple African countries by Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu.
The series, featuring spectators in Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, is designed to “shift the gaze from the pitch to those who surround it; the fans.” The goal was to “center what the players see rather than what the crowd consumes.”
During an interview with Fahamu Pecou, the museum’s founder and executive director, he told Capital B Atlanta that the exhibit shows that the community and culture around football is a lifestyle across the African diaspora.
“It’s more than a sport; it’s a way people connect and communicate and express themselves, and so what we wanted to do here was capture the essence of that,” Pecou said.
And while he said he believes much of the World Cup experience is focused on the European teams, African countries are playing a major role on the global stage.
“Oftentimes when we think about the sport of football, we don’t really think about Africa in that context, even though most of the dominant players are of African descent or come from the African continent,” he said. “But beyond the players and their abilities, there’s this great sense of community and culture that is also expressed through the sport.”
“The African Game” exhibit features spectators in Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
Pecou said he believes the ADAMA exhibit will present a compelling new look at the global sport.
“We were really intentional about programming this exhibition during this time, because we wanted to create an opportunity and experience for people to get a feel for what football is like in the African diaspora,” Pecou said. “We really wanted to bring that cultural experience here on top of what’s happening with the sport [during the World Cup] and all the activity.”
The African Game will be on display at ADAMA Gallery, 352 University Ave. SW, until July 25.
—Interview conducted by Naji Rutherford
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha applauds fans after his team’s 0-0 draw Monday against powerhouse Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Tuesday, June 16, 12:15 p.m.
In its first World Cup appearance, the scrappy team from the small island nation of Cape Verde held its own against powerhouse Spain at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday.
Ranked 61 in the world, Cape Verde achieved a 0-0 draw against third-ranked Spain.
Located less than 400 miles off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde’s nearly 600,000 residents were jubilant over the team’s performance, especially that of goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias. Known as Vozinha, he shut down Spain with seven saves on 27 shots and earned FIFA’s Man of the Match honors.
“I think it is the most important moment of our lives,” Vozinha, which means “Little Voice,” told ESPN Brasil before the tournament.
Overcome with emotion after the hard-fought match that many are calling a victory, the 19-year soccer veteran picked up 5 million new followers on social media.
“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago,” Vozinha told reporters after the game. “They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage to [get it done] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy.”
Vozinha also knew what the team’s performance meant to his country.
“I have worked my whole life for this moment,” Vozinha said. “I’m 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving, but I continued because of this dream. This is for everyone. I was named man of the match, but this is for all of my teammates because without them nothing would be possible. I will continue to work for Cape Verde and for the people.”
Next up, Cape Verde faces Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.
Soccer fans gather at the FIFA Fan Festival 2026 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. (Prince Williams/Getty Images)
Monday, June 15, 11:15 a.m.
A plane full of Cape Verde fans touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this weekend to cheer on their underdog team as they face off against Spain today at noon.
The match will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For those without tickets, Centennial Olympic Park offers a free public watch party at FIFA Fan Festival, or you can watch on Fox.
At the FIFA Fan Festival on Sunday, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined local residents and fans from around the world to celebrate the start of the games.
“Families were out, kids were playing soccer, fans from around the world were exploring Downtown, and the energy was exactly what we’ve been preparing for,” Dickens posted on Instagram. “If this opening weekend is any sign of what’s ahead, we’re going to have an incredible summer.”
Dickens has said the city expects between 300,000-500,000 visitors during the 34-day tournament.
You can watch all matches at Centennial Park while also enjoying live events, games, and guest appearances. Fans can also hit the Decatur MARTA station for another free watch party featuring three screens.
Today’s opening match is the first of eight games to be played in the city. Check out our listing of other events!
This story has been updated.
The post 2026 World Cup Blog: What’s Happening in Atlanta appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
Continue reading...
Ghana and Haiti matches fuel fan fever
As Ghana prepared to face off against England on Tuesday, hundreds of soccer fans around the city gathered for watch parties.
Mawuena Agbonyitor, who is part Ghanaian, proudly waved a flag at the watch party at Decatur Square. She traveled from Washington, D.C., to attend her first World Cup game.
“Getting into the games, that’s always fun, talking about it with friends is fun,” Agbonyitor told Capital B Atlanta. “[But] there are a lot of concerns going into this World Cup, seeing a lot of unfairness with ticket prices, people with visa issues.”
Haitian brothers Litz and Jonathan Simon came up from Florida for today’s World Cup match between Haiti and Morocco but stopped by Decatur to root for Ghana in their highly anticipated match against England.
You must be registered for see images attach
Haitian brothers Litz (right) and Jonathan (left) Simon came up from Fort Meyers, Florida, for the World Cup match between Haiti and Morocco. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B Atlanta)
“I’m just looking for a good game,” Litz shared.
Ghana fans Madison and Harrison Boadus show up at the watch party in Decatur. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
The brothers are also looking forward to checking out the Atlanta food scene between matches. “I hear a lot of good things about the food in Atlanta, especially like the wings, lemon pepper to be exact,” Jonathan said.
For siblings Madison and Harrison Boadus, who came from Dallas, the match against England was personal since their father is from Ghana.
“We’re half Ghanaian, so this is our country,” Madison told Capital B Atlanta. “We’re rooting for them, and I’m telling you they are going to win.”
They attended the Decatur watch party with their friend Decaria Harris and they all plan to travel Saturday to Philadelphia to see Ghana play again.
“You got to think football is the sport of the world, so it’s like you’ve got to support it,” Harrison said. “It brings out the culture.”
Fans were excited to see Ghana hold their own against England as the match ended 0-0. England hadn’t lost to an African country at the World Cup in its past nine matches.
The Campbell family was hanging out at FanFest at Centennial Park on Tuesday. They came from Barbados to watch today’s match between Haiti and Morocco. Jonathan Campbell, a footballer with a masters team in Barbados called Bedrock United, is especially keen to see the matches.
You must be registered for see images attach
Antoine Semenyo (left) of Ghana attempts to shoot but is blocked by Reece James of England during Tuesday’s World Cup in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
“It looks like there will be a lot of upsets, but it’s going to be a very fun World Cup.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Jonathan Campbell, a footballer with a masters team in Barbados, is especially keen to see the matches. “It looks like there will be a lot of upsets, but it’s going to be a very fun World Cup,” he said. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
— Naji Rutherford.
Wednesday 6/17, noon
Soccer as art
You must be registered for see images attach
“The African Game” is a collection of images shot across multiple African countries by Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
Between matches, World Cup fans can enjoy another aspect of the game by exploring the sport they love through the lens of the diaspora.
The African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), located at Pittsburgh Yards, is featuring The African Game, a visually striking exhibition of images shot across multiple African countries by Nigerian photographer and filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu.
The series, featuring spectators in Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, is designed to “shift the gaze from the pitch to those who surround it; the fans.” The goal was to “center what the players see rather than what the crowd consumes.”
During an interview with Fahamu Pecou, the museum’s founder and executive director, he told Capital B Atlanta that the exhibit shows that the community and culture around football is a lifestyle across the African diaspora.
“It’s more than a sport; it’s a way people connect and communicate and express themselves, and so what we wanted to do here was capture the essence of that,” Pecou said.
And while he said he believes much of the World Cup experience is focused on the European teams, African countries are playing a major role on the global stage.
“Oftentimes when we think about the sport of football, we don’t really think about Africa in that context, even though most of the dominant players are of African descent or come from the African continent,” he said. “But beyond the players and their abilities, there’s this great sense of community and culture that is also expressed through the sport.”
You must be registered for see images attach
“The African Game” exhibit features spectators in Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. (Naji Rutherford/Capital B)
Pecou said he believes the ADAMA exhibit will present a compelling new look at the global sport.
“We were really intentional about programming this exhibition during this time, because we wanted to create an opportunity and experience for people to get a feel for what football is like in the African diaspora,” Pecou said. “We really wanted to bring that cultural experience here on top of what’s happening with the sport [during the World Cup] and all the activity.”
The African Game will be on display at ADAMA Gallery, 352 University Ave. SW, until July 25.
—Interview conducted by Naji Rutherford
You must be registered for see images attach
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha applauds fans after his team’s 0-0 draw Monday against powerhouse Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Tuesday, June 16, 12:15 p.m.
Underdog Cape Verde stuns Spain
In its first World Cup appearance, the scrappy team from the small island nation of Cape Verde held its own against powerhouse Spain at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday.
Ranked 61 in the world, Cape Verde achieved a 0-0 draw against third-ranked Spain.
Located less than 400 miles off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde’s nearly 600,000 residents were jubilant over the team’s performance, especially that of goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias. Known as Vozinha, he shut down Spain with seven saves on 27 shots and earned FIFA’s Man of the Match honors.
“I think it is the most important moment of our lives,” Vozinha, which means “Little Voice,” told ESPN Brasil before the tournament.
Overcome with emotion after the hard-fought match that many are calling a victory, the 19-year soccer veteran picked up 5 million new followers on social media.
“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago,” Vozinha told reporters after the game. “They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage to [get it done] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy.”
Vozinha also knew what the team’s performance meant to his country.
“I have worked my whole life for this moment,” Vozinha said. “I’m 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving, but I continued because of this dream. This is for everyone. I was named man of the match, but this is for all of my teammates because without them nothing would be possible. I will continue to work for Cape Verde and for the people.”
Next up, Cape Verde faces Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.
You must be registered for see images attach
Soccer fans gather at the FIFA Fan Festival 2026 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. (Prince Williams/Getty Images)
Monday, June 15, 11:15 a.m.
Cape Verde faces Spain, and Fan Fest energy
A plane full of Cape Verde fans touched down at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport this weekend to cheer on their underdog team as they face off against Spain today at noon.
The match will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For those without tickets, Centennial Olympic Park offers a free public watch party at FIFA Fan Festival, or you can watch on Fox.
At the FIFA Fan Festival on Sunday, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined local residents and fans from around the world to celebrate the start of the games.
“Families were out, kids were playing soccer, fans from around the world were exploring Downtown, and the energy was exactly what we’ve been preparing for,” Dickens posted on Instagram. “If this opening weekend is any sign of what’s ahead, we’re going to have an incredible summer.”
Dickens has said the city expects between 300,000-500,000 visitors during the 34-day tournament.
You can watch all matches at Centennial Park while also enjoying live events, games, and guest appearances. Fans can also hit the Decatur MARTA station for another free watch party featuring three screens.
Today’s opening match is the first of eight games to be played in the city. Check out our listing of other events!
This story has been updated.
The post 2026 World Cup Blog: What’s Happening in Atlanta appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
Continue reading...
