As thousands of football fans gather in Atlanta for matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a local Catholic ministry is using the international sporting event as an opportunity to engage visitors with conversations about faith, prayer, and the Catholic Church.
The Quest Atlanta Catholic Radio has established a hospitality booth at the ATL Experience, the city’s official World Cup marketplace, hoping to connect with people from different countries and backgrounds during one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Booth Offers More Than Information
Located between State Farm Arena and the former CNN Center, the booth forms part of the ATL Experience, a marketplace featuring more than 90 local businesses offering food, art, clothing, and other attractions.
Visitors stopping by The Quest’s stand receive information about nearby Catholic churches, Mass schedules, and the Catholic faith.
Volunteers also distribute prayer cards, rosaries, religious images, and brochures, while guests can spin a prize wheel for giveaways.
Among the unique items available are prayer cards dedicated to St. Luigi Scrosoppi, who is recognized as the patron saint of soccer.
Volunteers Welcome Fans Before and During Matches
The outreach is staffed by volunteers from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, parish communities, and The Quest Atlanta Catholic Radio team.
Priests and members of the St. Paul Street Evangelization ministry are also present to speak with visitors, answer questions, pray with those seeking support, and offer blessings.
The booth operates both on match days and on the day before games played in Atlanta, allowing organizers to meet supporters arriving from around the world.
Organizers Say Visitors Are Searching for Hope
Allison Dalloul, co-host of The Quest’s morning radio programme and the initiative’s outreach coordinator, said the World Cup presented a rare opportunity to meet people who may never otherwise encounter the Church in such a setting.
According to Dalloul, conversations have ranged from curious non-Catholics learning about the faith to practicing Catholics expressing appreciation for seeing a Catholic presence at the tournament.
She recalled meeting a woman grieving the recent loss of her husband, who received prayers from members of the evangelization team, while several married couples also requested blessings from priests visiting the booth.
A Child’s Prayer Request Leaves Lasting Impression
One encounter particularly stood out for Dalloul during the first day of the outreach.
She described meeting a young girl, the daughter of another vendor, who initially did not understand what a prayer intention meant.
After Dalloul explained that it was an opportunity to ask God for help with something in her life, the child enthusiastically began writing down her requests.
For Dalloul, the girl’s eagerness served as a reminder that many people are discovering Christianity or the Catholic faith for the first time, unlike those raised within the Church.
She added that the ministry’s outreach has extended beyond football supporters to include vendors and workers participating in the World Cup festivities.
Players’ Public Displays of Faith Inspire Organizers
Dalloul also praised several footballers who have openly expressed their Christian faith during the tournament, particularly those making the sign of the cross before matches.
She said such public displays encourage believers to be more confident about practicing their faith openly, arguing that many Christians hesitate to pray publicly or acknowledge their beliefs for fear of being judged.
Mission Focused on Showing Christ’s Love
For the volunteers, the success of the initiative is measured less by numbers and more by meaningful encounters.
Dalloul said her hope is that everyone who visits the booth experiences kindness, compassion, and the love of Christ, regardless of their religious background.
She believes simply being present with welcoming smiles and open conversations can make a lasting impact, especially since volunteers never know what personal struggles visitors may be facing or how a simple interaction could encourage someone to reconnect with their faith.
