Waffle House is winning the World Cup

International visitors attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup are expressing significant admiration for everyday American brands and chains, according to social media posts amplified by U.S. press. These tourists, undertaking road trips across the United States and Canada, have shared content highlighting their positive experiences with establishments such as Buc-ee’s, Waffle House, Walmart, and Chick-fil-A. Common themes in their posts include amazement at the scale, convenience, and amenities like free soda refills offered by these businesses.

A German soccer fan, identified on X as @FreddyLA7, has gained hundreds of thousands of followers with his enthusiastic documentation of routine American culture during a six-week World Cup journey. He described a Taco Bell as "The Holy land" and rated his first Waffle House experience in Georgia at 1 a.m. as "10/10, we will be coming back," citing "Great food, great prices, and friendly staff." He later revisited Waffle House in New Orleans, demonstrating his genuine appreciation for the chain.

These international fans are contributing to a growing online phenomenon of appreciation for American brands, contrasting with broader global perceptions of the U.S. which, according to a spring poll, are less favorable than China. The visitors' positive encounters with familiar American retail and dining experiences offer a counterpoint to geopolitical and economic challenges affecting the United States' global standing.