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In 2026, the FIFA World Cup (which is held every four years) is being played in 16 North American cities: two in Canada, three in Mexico, and eleven in the United States. It's the biggest tournament of the most popular sport on Earth, so millions of fans traveled across the globe to support their national teams on the main stage.
And while they came first and foremost for the soccer, many also discovered a very different side of the primary host, the US, than they had expected. Some experiences surprised people so much that they even took to social media to share their reactions. So we decided to compile the culture shocks they encountered to show the country through the eyes of its foreign visitors.
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#2
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 week ago
Exuberant! A good word to describe the comingling of "friendly" with "loud" is "exuberant" XD
A new survey of more than 1,200 recent international visitors to the U.S. found that 91% were satisfied with their trip, 83% felt welcome, and 61% left with a more favorable opinion of the country.
The findings also revealed that, for over half (56%) of respondents, traveling there improved their perception of safety in the U.S.
Interestingly, the survey found that travelers who engaged with local businesses reported even higher levels of satisfaction and more welcoming experiences, underscoring the important role communities play in shaping America's image.
Jasmine Garsd, an NPR immigration correspondent who's covering the World Cup right now, says these sentiments can be felt among sports fans, too. However, she notes that they have a few concerns as well.
"I've heard the ... fans talk about how welcoming America is, and I've heard fans complain about how expensive it is. I had a French fan tell me, how can you pay this much for beer? Good question," she explains.
"But for the most part, [they're] talking about how welcoming and warm and fun it is. And I think what's really interesting about this is that it is a moment of pause. You know, much like when a fan recently said, I love ranch dressing. I stopped for a moment. I was like, what is ranch dressing?"
#8
According to official figures, 6,527,410 spectators have attended the first 100 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, up to the semifinals. Overall, 104 matches will be played.
That total for the first 100 matches exceeds the 6,436,020 fans who attended the previous two World Cups combined. Considering that each of those tournaments featured 64 matches, that's quite an achievement.
FIFA forecasts more than $3 billion in ticket sales and hospitality revenue.
#10
FreeTheUnicorn 1 week ago
Must be Southern England because in Scotland we see plenty of deer in gardens and along roads. It's definitely the same in the English borders. Actually it's a problem cause there's no predators maybe England should take some.
#12
Bored Jellyfish 1 week ago
Yep. I had culture shock the first time I went into a Bass Pro Shop. And I’m Americanese.
Garsd believes travelers' positive impressions of the United States are strengthened by seeing that locals aren't as closed to foreign tourists as the communication coming out of the current U.S. administration might suggest.
"We've been told from the top down — from the administration and from the ruling party right now — that the U.S. is fundamentally at its core a country that is closed, that does not want foreigners, that is not open and that is xenophobic," she adds.
"And so then I think part of the great joy, one of the reasons people are enjoying this cup so much, is this moment of seeing that this isn't entirely the case, that there are people in the U.S. that are incredibly welcoming and friendly and that want moments like these."
#13
Ace 1 week ago
Used to be normal in the UK and Europe as well before chip+PIN was introduced. Some of still remember when there was no electronics involved, they would swipe the card through a machine that made a print of it using carbon paper, hand-write the amount onto the printer slip, leaving the tip and total lines blank for you to fill in and then to sign. The physical piece of paper was then counted up and included with bank-notes to be sent of to the bank for processing.
#14
Roman Arendt 1 week ago
And we're not joking when we say you're eating and drinking like healthcare was affordable for you... 😐
#15
LakotaWolf (she/her) 1 week ago
While you DO have to drive everywhere in Southern California (our public transportation system súcks, I'm not going to try to polish a túrd here) we have pretty much every biome you could want within a two-hour drive! Mountains with snow/skiing to the north (Big Bear), lovely forests to the north as well, the desert to the south and east, beaches right here, and if you drive two hours west, you're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean XD
As you can see from some of these pictures, international fans are not sticking to sites close to the host cities and major metropolitan areas alone. They are eager to branch out into the U.S. heartland for unique "only-in-America" experiences.
Because the U.S. is roughly 2,800 miles (4,500 km) wide and World Cup matches are being played on both coasts, many fans are flying between host cities. But some are adopting the locals' love of the open road by driving from match to match. In doing so, they are discovering kitschy roadside stops along Route 66 and the majesty of the U.S. National Park system.
On Sunday, this summer cultural exchange program will end, one country will be crowned the winner of the 2026 World Cup, and everyone will return home. But not without taking a little piece of the U.S. with them.
#17
Bored Jellyfish 1 week ago (edited)
We once got a flash flood warning (Go to high ground) and a tornado warning (Go the lowest level in your home or building) at the same time. So instead, we went outside and took pictures of the swirly clouds to send in to the local TV station, who showed the pics during their breaking news coverage while telling viewers to please stop going outside to take pictures of the swirly clouds.
#18
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#23
Upstaged75 1 week ago
The drinks at Wendy's are enormous for some reason! Their "regular" soda is the same size as a large at McDonald's.
#25
Multa Nocte (she/her/86 47) 1 week ago
Better find out what they were fighting for before you get too proud.
#26
M O'Connell 1 week ago
Some of the best barbecue I have ever eaten came from a restaurant inside the terminal at the Kansas City airport.
#33
Speak easy buttercup 1 week ago
I would think Japan would have tons of energy drinks since there are so many gamers there! 🤔🤔 I'll be danged
#36
Kelly Scott 1 week ago (edited)
One thing about Taco Bell - I've never seen another fastfood place that could make 43 different items from just 6 ingredients. Beans, meat, cheese, lettuce, hot sauce, and some kind of wrap for it all.
#39
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#47
FreeTheUnicorn 1 week ago
It's designed to be flavoured sweat. The taste has actually improved over the years
#48
Tamra 1 week ago (edited)
I recently traveled to Oklahoma for the funeral of a family member. My cousin picked me up for lunch, and was driving the largest d@mned truck I've ever seen. It had STEPS on the side to get up into it, and could seat SIX adults. A monstrous thing that probably got 10 miles to the gallon.
#49
Phil Thompson 1 week ago
58 posts, not 58 fans. Half of these are from four people (Elsa, Freddy, Oliver, and Shaun).
#57
shg stewart 1 week ago
I don't buy food from Christian nationalists who are trying to legislate their religion and are anti-LGBTQ.
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What do you think ?
Laszlo Larthlanc 1 week ago
Wow! A positive post about the USA! OK, this is a dream, right? Yes -- I'm sleeping. That's it. That must be it. If not, then there was finally, a pre-bedtime post about the US that didn't send me to bed muttering to myself. (Leaving before the comments start, though.)
SM 1 week ago
They have to throw one in every once in a while to catch you off guard. :-)
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Auntriarch 1 week ago
Well this makes a very pleasant change, this sounds like the USA that I experienced. More please?
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 week ago
Why is "the food" not an option in the poll? Cause that's the answer!
Laszlo Larthlanc 1 week ago
Wow! A positive post about the USA! OK, this is a dream, right? Yes -- I'm sleeping. That's it. That must be it. If not, then there was finally, a pre-bedtime post about the US that didn't send me to bed muttering to myself. (Leaving before the comments start, though.)
SM 1 week ago
They have to throw one in every once in a while to catch you off guard. :-)
Load More Replies... Auntriarch 1 week ago
Well this makes a very pleasant change, this sounds like the USA that I experienced. More please?
T'Mar of Vulcan 1 week ago
Why is "the food" not an option in the poll? Cause that's the answer!
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