World Cup Fans Tout America’s Greatness

People visiting the United States for the World Cup are turning everyday American life into viral content, and a lot of it is the kind of thing many Americans probably pass by without a second thought.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, and as many as 10 million people are expected to travel to the U.S. during that stretch. Matches are being played across 11 host areas: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

While the soccer itself is the main event, plenty of visiting fans have found themselves captivated by something else entirely: America.

Two themes keep showing up in their posts. First, many foreign visitors seem amazed by Walmart. Second, they are struck by how friendly Americans have been.

For some Europeans, walking into a Walmart has apparently felt less like a shopping trip and more like a cultural field trip.

“This is the biggest tourist attraction I can have as a European. It’s like a museum,” one man said, adding that he got lost inside because the store was so large.

“You can’t compare this to Europe,” he said.

In another post, Japanese tourists were seen pouring into a Walmart in the Dallas area, turning a routine American errand into a memorable stop on their trip.

Other familiar American spots have also become attractions. Buc-ee’s gas stations and Waffle House have drawn plenty of attention, including from a German World Cup visitor who posts under the name FreddyLA7 on X.

After stopping at Waffle House late at night, he wrote, “Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1 am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.”