Okay, so get this: there are five-year-olds down in Cherokee County, Georgia, and they are already screaming, "I'm a soccer star!" Harper and Emmy Sexton, twins, are just five, but the FIFA World Cup matches hitting Atlanta have them absolutely buzzing. Their mom, Allison, even told Channel 2's Berndt Petersen that one of her daughters is constantly asking, "Mom, can I go to the World Cup?" You know what? That's the kind of raw, unfiltered passion you love to see, right?
The Next Generation Is Ready to Play
It's not just the Sexton twins, either. We're talking about twenty five-year-olds who were all over the Georgia Impact soccer camp in Canton on Monday, July 13, 2026. This isn't some new fad in Cherokee County, either, no way! This camp has a fifty-year tradition already going strong. And John Murnan, the director there, knows exactly what's up. He said it plain and simple: World Cup matches landing in Atlanta *today* mean packed soccer camps *tomorrow*. We saw it happen when the women's team won the cup in 2015, and then again in 2019. The buzz is real, and it brings out the crowds. This isn't just about a game anymore; it's about igniting a passion that could last a lifetime, especially for these little ones who are just getting started.From Fan to Phenom: The World Cup's Lasting Power
Think about this: the coaches at that very camp were once little girls themselves, catching the World Cup fever. Sarah Courchene, one of those coaches, remembers it vividly. She said, "That World Cup thing made me kick of my start in soccer." And her fellow coach, Sophie Naliwajka, completely agreed. Sophie was already playing, sure, but that World Cup lit an even bigger fire, making her "want to play more." So you see, this isn't just a moment. It's a legacy. Soccer might not be "new" to Cherokee County as a whole, but for *these specific kindergarteners*, it's a whole new world opening up. And the World Cup has them completely hooked, no doubt about it. These young fans are just getting started, their "yes!" shouts of being a "soccer star!" echoing the passion that the beautiful game ignites. With the FIFA World Cup matches, including that massive Argentina vs. England semifinal, coming to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it’s going to be a wild ride. These kindergarteners are watching, learning, and dreaming. The future of soccer in that region? Looks like it's going to be packed with talent, all thanks to a few incredible matches and some five-year-olds who just fell in love with the game. Get ready for it.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.