World Cup fans visiting the U.S. from Europe are discovering American life—and both sides are loving it

For foreigners, American life is often viewed through the eyes of Hollywood. But as tourists flood American cities for the World Cup, many are turning to social media to show everyday America from a fresh perspective. The world’s largest sporting event, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicked off this week, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. But beyond the soccer games themselves, the more than 10 million tourists expected to visit the U.S. this summer are getting a glimpse of everyday American life—and both sides seem to be enjoying it. Several tourists who touched down in the U.S. a week ahead of kickoff have been taking social media users along for their adventures throughout the country, sharing their amusement and awe over seemingly conventional American features, from fire trucks to oversize sodas. “Not gonna lie, Big Gulps from 7/11 are easily one of my favourite things I’ve discovered in America so far,” a user from England visiting Orlando said on X. Another added: “Every Scottish person in America needs to immediately try Chicken Fried Steak, and you’ll realise we and the Americans are kindred spirits.” “Fun to see in person” For many, the summer visit is one of their first interactions with America in real life. “I think most of us know the U.S. only through stories and movies. Stuff like a U.S. gas station or a yellow school bus is very recognizable and fun to see in person,” a user said on X. For some soccer fans, the World Cup has become an opportunity to explore American cities and towns in a new way, with some road-tripping from city to city in between games. “I know some people will say I’m too positive about everything I see, but this place was crazy,” one German tourist posted while driving through the South. “They had a shooting range in the store.” The same user, whose observations have been going viral, shared his fascination with Walmart, his first Waffle Ho