Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says ICE not invited as city prepares for 2026 World Cup matches

City officials outline small-business initiatives while acknowledging limits on local control of federal enforcement

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said this week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is “not invited” to the city as Atlanta prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer, framing the issue as both a public-safety and economic concern for residents and the hospitality sector.

Speaking at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, Dickens said he cannot predict how federal agencies may operate across World Cup host sites in the United States. He added that the city’s goal is for any federal immigration-enforcement presence to be “small” and ideally “nonexistent,” while acknowledging that Atlanta does not control federal deployments.

Atlanta is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the tournament window, with games set for June 15, June 18, June 21, June 24 and June 27, followed by knockout-round matches on July 1 and July 7, and a semifinal on July 15. The global nature of the event has heightened attention on how visitors and local immigrant communities may interpret any visible immigration enforcement near downtown venues and fan activities.

Dickens said the city will try to provide businesses and residents as much advance notice as possible if officials become aware of a federal law enforcement presence downtown.

At the same event, the mayor and partner organizations announced programs aimed at helping small businesses compete during large-scale events and handle surges in visitors. The initiatives include marketing support grants of up to $5,000 for eligible businesses in downtown, Castleberry Hill and Westside areas, along with a new Atlanta Business Readiness Fund totaling $580,000 that will offer loans of up to $15,000. The loan program includes a 5% matching requirement, an interest rate capped at 4%, and repayment scheduled to begin in August, after the World Cup match period.

• Marketing support grants: up to $5,000 for visibility and customer engagement during major events.
• Business Readiness Fund: loans up to $15,000, 5% match, interest capped at 4%, payments starting in August.
• Workforce hiring support: a workforce expo planned for March 5–6 at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority site, offering resume assistance, professional headshots and job connections.

The mayor’s comments come as federal planning for the 2026 tournament expands across host cities through a White House task force designed to coordinate interagency support for the event. Locally, debate continues over what a secure and welcoming tournament should look like, with some political figures calling for more federal agents in Atlanta and others warning that heightened enforcement could deter participation and harm the region’s tourism-driven economy.

City officials have projected the tournament will generate about $500 million in economic impact for Atlanta, while emphasizing that small businesses are central to capturing visitor spending during the June–July match period.