Atlanta hosts its first World Cup match today as Spain faces Cape Verde at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (or Atlanta Stadium during the tournament). Follow live updates throughout the day on traffic, the game and events surrounding the match.
And keep up to date on all things World Cup in Atlanta with our complete Atlanta World Cup guide to match schedules, Fan Fest details, watch parties, transportation information and more.
FIFA announced the attendance for Atlanta's first World Cup match, between Cape Verde and Spain, is 67,640.
The crowd is predominantly Spain fans, but folks not supporting La Rojas seem to be leaning toward the underdog Blue Sharks.
Four escalators at the SEC District MARTA station all stopped working suddenly just before 1 p.m.
An Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter was riding up the escalator when it stopped abruptly. No one fell, and people walked off calmly.
Crews were trying to change the direction of one escalator and a "power blip" temporarily cut off service to all four, MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher said.
MARTA staff quickly cordoned off the out-of-service escalators.
Within about 15 minutes, three of the four were back in service. Crews are working to bring the fourth back online.
Fans at Atlanta Stadium have been getting some homegrown percussion love from the Clark Atlanta University drumline.
The CAU drumline performed during the prematch festivities and again at halftime.
The Cape Verde vs. Spain match has begun with a full house at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium).
Now that Cape Verde is on the FIFA World Cup stage, many are hoping to expand the island nation’s tourism industry as the tournament debutant faces Spain.
Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup in October, and it was introduced on a global stage to many who were unfamiliar with the island nation.
It’s a country made up of 10 islands in West Africa with a population of approximately 530,000, with about 107,000 living in diaspora across the United States.
Cape Verde is already a destination for many Europeans, especially those in Portugal.
Read more from Amna Subhan for the AJC:
Local Cape Verdeans hope World Cup boosts island nation into vacation spot
If Spain vs. Cape Verde was supposed to be a matchup of David vs. Goliath, it's not looking that way through the first half.
It's scoreless through the first 45 minutes, plus four minutes of extra time. Spain had four shots on goal to none for Cape Verde, but the small island nation is staying in the match.
Much of the action has remained in Cape Verde's zone, but Spain, ranked No. 2 in the world, hasn't been able to break through yet. Staying close in the match has energized the blue-clad Cape Verde fans, who have impressive numbers and are making noise.
The areas outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium (or Atlanta Stadium during the World Cup period) were a sea of red, with Spain fans bringing a ton of optimism.
"I’m super excited. This is my first World Cup match, so I’m definitely taking it all in," said Gio Ramirez, who made the trip from San Francisco. "I'm super excited to see hopefully Lamine Yamal play. I’m a huge Barca fan and I’m just excited to see good-quality soccer with Spain."
For Isaiah Martinez, the experience in Atlanta has been positive: "I like how they have everything set up for the community, and it’s well organized."
Atlanta began celebrating the World Cup last week with FIFA Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta and Decatur WatchFest on the Decatur Square.
The first day of FIFA Fan Fest featured performances from Summer Walker, Universoul Circus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and DJ Rasta Root. Rapper Big Boi headlined Decatur's event.
Both events run through July 19.
There are 160 MARTA ambassadors spread out across the system today to help guide riders.
Ambassadors — a mix of MARTA staff and volunteers — can give out directions and answer any questions that arise.
"Team MARTA is out on the system," MARTA spokesperson Angela Jetty said in an interview outside the SEC District station.
In addition to ambassadors, MARTA police and officers from the Denver transit agency are out on trains and platforms. EMTs are also stationed at downtown station platforms.
At the Vine City Station, house music is blaring as riders come and go.
Crowds were thin ahead of the noon match, with more MARTA police, staff and ambassadors than passengers.
Keith Andre performed at the FIFA Fan Fest Monday morning and was taking the train back home with his dance group.
Andre enjoyed seeing people wearing different jerseys dancing together at his show before the game.
“Seeing all the jerseys everywhere has been amazing,” he said.