US fans cheer for their team ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between Turkey and USA at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 25, 2026. (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
America’s still got it—international visitors for the 2026 World Cup are singing the praises of the United States, finding joy in the little luxuries.
The wonders of American abundance are easy to take for granted, if one is used to them, but visitors seem impressed by the sheer scale of the U.S.—giant portions, infinite soda refills, and sprawling gas stations.
America’s cheap conveniences can (and often do) spark snobbish criticism about junk food and car culture, but visitors are going viral for enthusiastically embracing the American way.
World Cup fans enamored with simple pleasures are racking up big numbers online, fast food proving a big hit—one post praising the addictive delights of ranch dressing was viewed more than ten million times on X (Twitter).
Some are even impressed by American ice machines, stunned by the generous amount of cubes that tumble out at the touch of a button.
A few World Cup travelers have gained sizable social media followings for documenting their experiences, such as “Freddy,” a visitor from Germany whose relentless enthusiasm is contagious.
Freddy’s posts documenting his American odyssey frequently rack up high numbers—a late-night visit to a Waffle House gained more than 7 million views on X, and his awestruck post about a gas station was viewed more than 25 million times.
Americans have reacted to the flood of positivity with pride, patriotism and a touch of bewilderment, with some commentators surprised that the natural wonders of the United States are being eclipsed by fast food chains and superstores.
Some American commentators have a more cynical take, proposing that the online avalanche of positive posts are motivated by engagement farming, rather than sincere appreciation for franchises, friendly faces and fast food.
Suspicions aside, it’s hard not to be moved by the flood of wholesome posts, especially in the wake of rising pessimism.
Lately, the digital landscape has felt particularly bleak, some feeling that the best years of the internet are already behind us (notably, the first big trend of 2026 was a 2016 nostalgia-fest).
The sense of unity emerging from the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the ideal outcome, the best an international sporting event can deliver—just look at the newly blossomed friendship between Scotland and Boston.
The outpouring of positivity serves as a timely reminder that America is still beloved by the rest of the world, despite its flaws.
For first time visitors, who have often glimpsed America through the window of mass media, visiting the United States can be a somewhat surreal experience, almost like stepping into a movie.
U.S. landscapes can be strangely familiar to those who have never seen them in person—many have already explored them in fiction—New York is practically the Emerald City, the backdrop to blockbuster entertainment seen across the world.
To a visitor even remotely familiar with pop culture, yellow school buses and brightly colored fire hydrants are nothing less than American icons.
Even a side of ranch from a friendly server at a roadside diner can be an event worth posting about.