First Impressions: The Scale of America
As the United States prepares to host a significant portion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, international visitors are arriving and experiencing American culture firsthand. Many fans have expressed surprise at the sheer scale of objects and infrastructure in the U.S. Ayoub Baghdad, a Moroccan fan, noted, "Everything is big, even the Coke is big," referring to the large sizes of beverages, roads, trucks, and buildings compared to what he is accustomed to in Morocco.
This observation about size is a common theme among international visitors, leading to viral social media content showcasing their reactions to everything from vast supermarkets to generous restaurant portions. Shaun, a vlogger from Scotland, described a Buc-ee's convenience store as a place that "could ONLY exist in America and I LOVE it," highlighting the unique American approach to consumerism.
Culinary Explorations and Surprises
Food offers another avenue for fans to explore American culture. Ire Balogun, traveling from Oxford, remarked on the superior flavor of American cuisine, even fast food, compared to England. "I'm surprised even with their fast food, there's just so much more flavour," he stated, appreciating the diverse culinary offerings from Chinese to Hispanic dishes.
A group of Portuguese graduate students from Madrid, including João Valentim and Lourenço Silva, have been deliberately seeking out American chain restaurants like Chipotle and Shake Shack, which they've seen in movies and TV shows. Silva commented, "It's a part of the experience of coming to the US." Other dining surprises for international fans include complimentary chips and salsa at Hispanic restaurants and the widespread availability of free drink refills, practices uncommon in many other countries.
Portion sizes have also left an impression. Christian Boateng, from Ghana but living in England, shared that he and his companions "couldn't finish everything" due to the large portions, a stark contrast to his experiences in England. Boateng also noted the American practice of listing prices without sales tax, which differs from the inclusive pricing common in England.
Beyond Football: Engaging with American Sports Culture
Despite hosting the majority of World Cup matches, some fans, like Ire Balogun, have observed a more subdued atmosphere compared to previous tournaments in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). This can be attributed to football (soccer) competing for attention with other major American sports, such as baseball, which is currently in season, and American football.
However, this multi-sport environment can lead to unexpected and memorable experiences for visitors. English fans Jason Barnes and Harry Beckley found themselves amidst a fervent celebration in Times Square when the New York Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years. Barnes described it as "the craziest celebration I have ever seen or even been a part of," an event so impactful that he might now follow basketball.
Venturing to the American Heartland
Many international fans are not limiting their travels to host cities but are eager to explore the diverse regions of the U.S. For a group of Portuguese fans including Tomás Soares and José de Araújo Vitória, their journey will take them to the American South—Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas—to experience traditional cuisines like barbecue and seafood boils. Soares expressed, "That's the thing that like most of us are looking forward to."
Despite higher prices compared to his last World Cup experience in Qatar, Ayoub Baghdad from Morocco believes the journey to the U.S. is worthwhile. "You can make your own budget to come watch maybe one game or two games and have the experience with you for your whole life because it is not gonna happen again," he concluded, emphasizing the unique opportunity.
Source: 'Even the Coke is big' - Foreign World Cup fans take in American culture