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

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, cohosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, commenced this week, drawing over 10 million tourists to the U.S. European visitors, in particular, are sharing their experiences of everyday American life on social media, often contrasting it with their Hollywood-influenced perceptions. Tourists have expressed amusement and awe over common American features, with one user from England visiting Orlando highlighting "Big Gulps from 7/11" as a favorite discovery. Another tourist from Scotland recommended trying Chicken Fried Steak, noting a perceived kinship with Americans. Many visitors are experiencing the U.S. in person for the first time, finding familiar elements like gas stations and yellow school buses "fun to see in person." Some soccer fans are using the World Cup as an opportunity for road trips between games, exploring American cities and towns. One German tourist documented his viral observations, including a visit to a Walmart and a shooting range within a store, expressing fascination with his experiences in the American South.