Mercer To Serve As Home Base For LAFC In FIFA Club World Cup
6/3/2025 6:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Athletics Department
MACON – Athletics department officials at Mercer University, in partnership with Macon-Bibb County, Visit Macon and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced Tuesday afternoon that it will serve as home base for LAFC throughout its run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup which will be held June 14-July 13 nationwide.
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LAFC qualified for the Club World Cup after a thrilling play-in victory over Club America on Saturday in Southern California. LAFC will open its portion of Group D play on June 16 when it takes on famed English Premier League Club Chelsea at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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"We are excited to make Macon and Mercer University our home away from home during the Club World Cup," LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. "We want to thank Mercer and the entire Bibb County community for your enthusiasm and support. We are looking forward to seeing you soon."
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Macon Mayor Lester Miller, who was on hand for Tuesday's announcement at Heritage Hall in Mercer's  University Center, added that Macon has also been approved as a practice site for next summer's World Cup which is also hosting games in Atlanta. The site has yet to be matched with a team.
"We are proud to welcome LAFC to Mercer University and the city of Macon. This partnership reflects our continued commitment to excellence and our ability to support world-class organizations," said Mercer Athletics Director Jim Cole. "It's an exciting opportunity to showcase our campus, our people, and the strength of our community on a global platform."
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Macon Mayor Lester Miller
"It's a great day to be in Macon-Bibb County especially when you're announcing that Macon-Bibb County is taking its place on the world's stage in a way in which we have never done before. It's made even greater because we are here thanks to the efforts of our amazing partners working together toward the same goal, the same outcome and the betterment of our entire community."
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Mercer Deputy Athletics Director Daniel Tate
"Being selected as a training site for the FIFA Club World Cup is an incredible honor for Mercer University and the city of Macon. It's a rare opportunity to welcome one of the world's top clubs to our campus and showcase all that our university and community have to offer. We're proud to be part of such a global event and excited for what this moment means for Middle Georgia."
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Gary Wheat, President/CEO of Visit Macon
"Visit Macon is excited to partner with Mercer University and Macon-Bibb County to serve as host and home for LA Football Club during the FIFA Club World Cup. We welcome the Club and its fans to Macon to showcase our destination to the world."
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Jay Markwalter, Statewide Tourism Director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development
"Gary Wheat and his team are always strategically driving awareness and visitation. Mayor Lester Miller's dedication to tourism and destination development has been unmatched in his first four years. Mayor Miller has been recognized as a leader in visionary tourism related projects, including sports."
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LAFC qualified for the Club World Cup after a thrilling play-in victory over Club America on Saturday in Southern California. LAFC will open its portion of Group D play on June 16 when it takes on famed English Premier League Club Chelsea at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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"We are excited to make Macon and Mercer University our home away from home during the Club World Cup," LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. "We want to thank Mercer and the entire Bibb County community for your enthusiasm and support. We are looking forward to seeing you soon."
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Macon Mayor Lester Miller, who was on hand for Tuesday's announcement at Heritage Hall in Mercer's  University Center, added that Macon has also been approved as a practice site for next summer's World Cup which is also hosting games in Atlanta. The site has yet to be matched with a team.
"We are proud to welcome LAFC to Mercer University and the city of Macon. This partnership reflects our continued commitment to excellence and our ability to support world-class organizations," said Mercer Athletics Director Jim Cole. "It's an exciting opportunity to showcase our campus, our people, and the strength of our community on a global platform."
Â
Macon Mayor Lester Miller
"It's a great day to be in Macon-Bibb County especially when you're announcing that Macon-Bibb County is taking its place on the world's stage in a way in which we have never done before. It's made even greater because we are here thanks to the efforts of our amazing partners working together toward the same goal, the same outcome and the betterment of our entire community."
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Mercer Deputy Athletics Director Daniel Tate
"Being selected as a training site for the FIFA Club World Cup is an incredible honor for Mercer University and the city of Macon. It's a rare opportunity to welcome one of the world's top clubs to our campus and showcase all that our university and community have to offer. We're proud to be part of such a global event and excited for what this moment means for Middle Georgia."
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Gary Wheat, President/CEO of Visit Macon
"Visit Macon is excited to partner with Mercer University and Macon-Bibb County to serve as host and home for LA Football Club during the FIFA Club World Cup. We welcome the Club and its fans to Macon to showcase our destination to the world."
Â
Jay Markwalter, Statewide Tourism Director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development
"Gary Wheat and his team are always strategically driving awareness and visitation. Mayor Lester Miller's dedication to tourism and destination development has been unmatched in his first four years. Mayor Miller has been recognized as a leader in visionary tourism related projects, including sports."
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