“We swiftly pivoted and adapted the plan accordingly,” Laber said. “Our plans are not static—they require active management and constant communication from experienced engineers and public safety officials to be effective. This flexibility, and our ability to quickly adapt, are what give us confidence in handling the unique challenges of any major event, including the FIFA World Cup.” It's the kind of dexterity that only experience and collaboration can create. Indeed, Atlanta has come a very long way from those wayward buses and frayed nerves that came to define the Olympic experience for many visitors three decades ago. As the NFL, the NCAA, and now FIFA have recognized, the ability to successfully manage transportation around major sporting events is now viewed as one of the city’s strengths. “There is a high level of confidence in Atlanta and Georgia's ability to manage traffic during the FIFA World Cup 2026, thanks to the deep experience of our local and state partners managing high-capacity events. Atlanta has successfully hosted two Super Bowls, two College Football Playoff national championships, multiple Final Fours, and major conventions that have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors. Each of those events required immense coordination between city and state agencies, regional transit and law enforcement,” Corso said. “What sets Atlanta apart is the continuity of planning expertise and the regular joint exercises that GDOT and the city conduct with other stakeholders. These teams are not starting from scratch—they’re building on decades of data, tested playbooks, and real-world successes.” A
36 Engineering Georgia
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