FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — Right now, workers are building the future of the U.S. Soccer Federation right in the metro Atlanta area, and just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A new headquarters and national training center is under construction in Fayette County, right on Veterans Parkway.
Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach got us a fresh look at the project’s latest major milestone.
U.S. Soccer broke ground on the new facility just over nine months ago, beginning construction on the 200-acre site.
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Now, they’re finishing the steel frame of the main building with a beam-topping ceremony. The Soccer Federation announced they also had a new corporate partner.
Adding to their red, white and blue, U.S. Soccer is now adding orange to the mix, thanks to a new partnership with Home Depot.
After breaking ground last April, the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center is rising.
Officials told Channel 2 Action News it was the first of its kind, a world-class facility that will be the headquarters for U.S. Soccer, when it’s completed.
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“I think it will be a cathedral for the sport in this country,” Molly Battin, Home Depot Chief Marketing Officer, said.
As it stands, the grading work is already complete on more than a dozen fields and lights are going up. The beam signing and raising ceremony at the facility site marks a new milestone in construction.
U.S. Soccer also announced their new partnership with Home Depot at the ceremony.
“It’s exciting for Atlant to be home to this training center and just makes a ton of sense,” Battin said. “Exciting for Home Depot to be part of it, it’s just a natural connection.”
The massive complex is expected to be finished and ready in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when it comes to Atlanta next year, but the center won’t be home to just one team, but all 27 of the US National teams for men, women and youth.
Those who will use it include U.S. Soccer Player of the Year from one of the extended national teams, Jacob Crumbley, a Georgia native.
“We’re really excited about the National Training Center and being able to train at a central location, and having all of the benefits of the performance, development and rehab all in the same location,” Crumley told Channel 2 Action News.
Leaders from U.S. Soccer said having everything together would be a new experience.
“To be able to have e everything housed in one location is going to drive efficiency and ultimately be a game changer for the organization,” U.S. Soccer Chief Commercial Officer David Wright said.
Even before the new partnership, there was already a connection between the facility and Home Depot, as well as Atlanta United. Arthur M. Blank and his family foundation contributed $50 million and the facility wasn named for him.
The training center has a total price tag of over $200 million and is expected to create more than 400 new jobs.
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