55 Culture Shocks International Soccer Fans Experienced While Visiting The United States

A new survey of more than 1,200 recent international visitors to the U.S. found that 91% were satisfied with their trip, 83% felt welcome, and 61% left with a more favorable opinion of the country.

The findings also revealed that, for over half (56%) of respondents, traveling there improved their perception of safety in the U.S.

Interestingly, the survey found that travelers who engaged with local businesses reported even higher levels of satisfaction and more welcoming experiences, underscoring the important role communities play in shaping America's image.

Jasmine Garsd, an NPR immigration correspondent who's covering the World Cup right now, says these sentiments can be felt among sports fans, too. However, she notes that they have a few concerns as well.

"I've heard the ... fans talk about how welcoming America is, and I've heard fans complain about how expensive it is. I had a French fan tell me, how can you pay this much for beer? Good question," she explains.

"But for the most part, [they're] talking about how welcoming and warm and fun it is. And I think what's really interesting about this is that it is a moment of pause. You know, much like when a fan recently said, I love ranch dressing. I stopped for a moment. I was like, what is ranch dressing?"

According to official figures, 6,527,410 spectators have attended the first 100 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, up to the semifinals. Overall, 104 matches will be played.

That total for the first 100 matches exceeds the 6,436,020 fans who attended the previous two World Cups combined. Considering that each of those tournaments featured 64 matches, that's quite an achievement.

FIFA forecasts more than $3 billion in ticket sales and hospitality revenue.

Garsd believes travelers' positive impressions of the United States are strengthened by seeing that locals aren't as closed to foreign tourists as the communication coming out of the current U.S. administration might suggest.

"We've been told from the top down — from the administration and from the ruling party right now — that the U.S. is fundamentally at its core a country that is closed, that does not want foreigners, that is not open and that is xenophobic," she adds.

"And so then I think part of the great joy, one of the reasons people are enjoying this cup so much, is this moment of seeing that this isn't entirely the case, that there are people in the U.S. that are incredibly welcoming and friendly and that want moments like these."

As you can see from some of these pictures, international fans are not sticking to sites close to the host cities and major metropolitan areas alone. They are eager to branch out into the U.S. heartland for unique "only-in-America" experiences.

Because the U.S. is roughly 2,800 miles (4,500 km) wide and World Cup matches are being played on both coasts, many fans are flying between host cities. But some are adopting the locals' love of the open road by driving from match to match. In doing so, they are discovering kitschy roadside stops along Route 66 and the majesty of the U.S. National Park system.

On Sunday, this summer cultural exchange program will end, one country will be crowned the winner of the 2026 World Cup, and everyone will return home. But not without taking a little piece of the U.S. with them.

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