In just two weeks, tens of thousands of soccer fans will descend on the streets of Atlanta to catch one of eight matches set to be played in the city as part of the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Fans will hop on MARTA trains and buses, the city’s public transportation network, walk through Centennial Park and other community spaces, and may even take a stroll down the Beltline for access to restaurants, bars and all of what the city of Atlanta has to offer.
But, a series of random attacks that left two women dead and a man injured in Atlanta over the past few weeks have some locals on edge, and others wondering if the city is truly prepared to handle the safety of thousands of extra people.
23-year-old Alyssa Paige and 66-year-old Margaret Swan were each fatally stabbed in separate incidents in Atlanta in May. Paige was running on the Beltline in the middle of the day when she was attacked and Swan was riding a MARTA train when she was stabbed.
The man accused of killing Paige, identified as 21-year-old Jahmare Brown, attacked a U.S. Postal Service worker with a brick, breaking their nose before he arrived at the Beltline. He then attacked Paige at random, forcing a five-hour manhunt that ended in his arrest. Paige was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead. Brown has an existing criminal history, though no known connection to Paige.
Swan was on a MARTA train when a man stood next to her and then pulled out a knife. Witnesses say there had been no interaction between the two before the man attacked and stabbed her at least 20 times in the neck and chest. The attacker, later identified as 25-year-old John Elijah Matthews, was arrested at the next MARTA station, while Swan was declared dead at the scene.
Another man, who has not been identified, was stabbed at the Georgia Tech MARTA station by a man that has yet to be found. The victim is expected to survive, and a “be on the lookout” alert has been released by MARTA police for the attacker. Police said initial reporting suggests the two men may have had an altercation, but it is not clear what started the interaction.
In April, 26-year-old Olaolukitan Adon Abel was accused of a string of attacks that left a Department of Homeland Security employee and one other woman dead and another man injured. All three victims appeared to be randomly attacked and had no connection to one another or the attacker.
In a statement on Thursday, the Trump Administration and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced a federal investigation into MARTA ahead of the World Cup following the two recent stabbing attacks.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month. No one should be forced to fear for their safety because they choose to ride public transit,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said.
The rate of “personal security events” on MARTA employees and passengers, which includes assaults, robberies, attacks, and other safety breaches, is twice the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
An investigation will “review the transit agency’s security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers,” the department said.
“The (Federal Transit Authority) investigation will determine if systemic conditions exist that endanger the public or transit workforce on the Atlanta system,” the department said.
MARTA officials will have 15 days to provide detailed reports on crime and fare evasion mitigation, security and safety funding, historic crime trends, annual budgets and other safety compliance information.
At the same time, the FTA will conduct an independent assessment of MARTA’s Safety Risk Reduction Program and will investigate the agency’s implementation of the Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers general directive from 2024.
Crime rates have been improving in recent years, with overall crime down 7% from 2024 to 2025 and homicides down 43% since 2022, according to the Atlanta Police Department. Mayor Andre Dickens has made tackling crime a key tenant of his second term, and multiple law enforcement agencies in Atlanta have beefed up security for June and July.
During a press conference on May 28, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Atlanta Office outlined their preparations for the tournament, and where their expertise could be needed.
Special Agents said the FBI SWAT teams would “maintain a high level of visibility” throughout the tournament, and fans should not be alarmed to see them around the stadium and at fan events as a precautionary measure.
Agents said there are “no known threats” to the tournament in Atlanta, but fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. The FBI also noted that human trafficking can take place during large events, like the World Cup, and the agency will have task forces working during the tournament period and throughout the summer.
MARTA interim General Manager Jonathan Hunt and MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher told Fox5 their safety plan for the World Cup includes 12,000 security cameras, extra uniformed and undercover officers and real-time monitoring from the crime center.
There will also be increased MARTA staffing to help manage large crowds on the train platforms, and expansion of the MARTA Hope program which helps riders experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse or homelessness.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told WRDW an additional 250 officers from across the state will also be coming to the capital to assist in security operations, on top of the existing Atlanta Police force.
Irene Wright covers the FIFA World Cup as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.