‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Do Black people care about the FIFA World Cup?
We’re two weeks into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. The city has hosted three matches, and so far, so good. No drama.
Over 250,000 people have descended upon downtown for the official Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park. There’s still a little under a month left in the tournament.
There are a record number of African teams — 10 — that qualified, but here’s a real question: Are Black folks in Atlanta paying attention? Do they care? Are folks feeling like the World Cup positively or negatively impacts Black communities here?
To shed light on those queries, we recruited our super interns — Christopher Frazier, Kevin Pernell, Shimei Ricks-Cook, Antonio Mattox Jr., Tierra Stone and Yacine Ba — who happen to be HBCU fellows from the Ida B. Wells Society.
The “It’s UATL” hosts and senior reporter Gavin Godfrey respond to comments from locals who shared their hopes, doubts and candid thoughts about the World Cup being in their backyards.
Also on this week’s episode
According to social media posts, West End food institution Soul Vegetarian is closing the doors on its flagship space. The hosts discuss what led to the impending closure. Soul Vegetarian No. 2 in Poncey-Highland remains open.
V-103’s Big Tigger probably wants to close the lid on what he calls “allegations and accusations,” pouring out online over his relationship with co-host Francesca Amiker. What should we make of it all? Co-host DeAsia Paige explains.
Those aforementioned interns are always keeping us looped in on terminology we didn’t know. This week, we learned about “Gatekeepers,” die-hard fans of the Black soap opera, “Beyond the Gates.” The ladies talk about the CBS hit getting another two years and what it means for representation.
We close things out this week with discussion about romance novelist Kennedy Ryan and her new book, “Score.” A follow-up to Ryan’s “Reel,” co-host Nedra Rhone breaks down themes for the overall series.
Related reads from UATL and AJC
Follow the stories that inspired this week’s episode.
- Black Atlantans weigh excitement, impact and legacy of World Cup
- I attended Atlanta’s first World Cup match. I’m still not over it.
- V-103’s Big Tigger denies what he calls ‘allegations and accusations’
- Hit soap ‘Beyond the Gates’ gets crossover love, two more guaranteed years
- Reading romance novels is an act of resistance
Talk to us!
We want to hear from you! Got ideas? Feedback?
Want to hear yourself on the pod? Be a guest?
Email us at uatl@ajc.com.
Roll credits
“It’s UATL” comes from DeAsia Paige, Nedra Rhone, Najja Parker, Isabelle Kerby-McGowan, Cara Shillenn, Gavin Godfrey, Mara Davis, Shane Backler, Ron Williams, Matt Gannon, Kishuna Joseph, Keith Lovely Jr., Megan Nadolski, Samantha Stamler, Janel Davis, Christopher Frazier, Kevin Pernell, Shimei Ricks-Cook, Antonio Mattox Jr., Tierra Stone and Yacine Ba.