The FIFA World Cup is happening across Canada, the US, and Mexico, and I may not be a soccer girlie, but I’m loving reading about everyone’s experiences!
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Well, Reddit user u/almighty_smiley recently asked, “World Cup tourists, what’s your honest feedback on the USA so far?” And the thread was such a refreshing corner of the internet! Here are some of the top-voted responses:
“I’m not trying to be offensive at all — so far, every American I’ve met has been incredibly friendly — but man…you guys are loud 😂.”
“It’s not like what the news portrays. You guys have beautiful scenery and people.”
“Nobody warned me that American portion sizes are actually a threat to your health. I ordered a medium coffee and received what my country would classify as a bucket.”
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“Very diverse (at least in California) and no one treats you as a ‘foreigner’ if you are not white. You really don’t feel like an outsider as a person of color, which is really nice. As a foreigner, I truly don’t think I’ve ever felt so accepted anywhere else I’ve been so far. This has been such a wholesome experience.”
“All the food has been really good, and supermarket selection is amazing, although insanely expensive to me. In New York.”
“Everyone’s been friendly, but your distances are basically side quests. 😅”
“In Europe, 100 miles is far, and 100 years ago was yesterday. In North America, 100 miles is nearby, and 100 years ago is half the history of the country.”
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“I’m a Swedish fan traveling the Midwest host cities. Small-town Indiana spots have exceeded every expectation — super welcoming locals, cheap diners, wide scenic roads, exactly the folksy US image you see in films. Big coastal cities like Boston break the bank hard, though. It’s easily the priciest World Cup trip I’ve planned. Visa delays were a minor headache for me, but a huge barrier for fans from African and Middle Eastern nations, which sucks for a tournament meant to unite global supporters. Infrastructure holds up well once you’re actually at the match; the pre-game logistics just need massive work.”
“So many great fast food options. In my home country, we basically only have McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Subway, and Pizza Hut. That’s pretty much it.”
“Amazing people, huge portions, long distances, and way too much tipping.”
“Tipping is ridiculous. I’m doing 20% everywhere because I want to be a respectful guest, but it is insane.”
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“Hospitality is amazing. Something new for me is how friendly and outgoing everyone is. Even the prices are nearly the same as in the most expensive city in my country. I’m from Switzerland, living in Zürich.”
“I’m American, but I talked to some Germans on a train platform in Chicago last weekend. They spoke very highly about their experience of buying legal weed, getting stoned, and eating at Raising Cane’s. Damn shame Chicago only got an exhibition match and isn’t hosting anything else. I’d love to be able to hang with more World Cup tourists.”
“The stadiums are amazing. The traffic? Less amazing. 😂”
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“I came for football and accidentally got a geography lesson. The country is HUGE.”
“The good: Americans are genuinely friendly and welcoming. Random people in bars and fan zones have been super chatty and helpful. The food culture is wild in the best way. Buc-ee’s blew my mind, ranch dressing should be a human right, and the portion sizes are hilarious. Waffle House at 2 a.m. after a match? 10/10 experience. The stadiums and infrastructure are impressive. Atmosphere in the cities has been electric when the fans show up.”
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“The not so good: Everything is so spread out. Traveling between host cities is expensive and tiring. Prices are brutal — hotels, tickets on resale, even basic food and drinks. Feels like they’re trying to squeeze every dollar. The heat in some cities is no joke, and public transport around certain venues could be better organized.
Overall, I’m having a great time, and the positives outweigh the negatives, but it’s very different from European tournaments, where everything feels more compact and walkable. The USA is massive and chaotic, but that’s part of the charm.”
And because they’re too good not to share, here are some responses from Americans:
“These comments give me hope that our humanity and hospitality as a country are not lost. Governments are not a representation of its people. We welcome you all here as our guests. Have fun!”
And finally: “Despite everything, this is still America. We may not know your name, your language, or basic world history, but by god, you’re not leaving here without a plate of barbecue and three people telling you to be safe on the way home.”
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