"This passionate atmosphere contrasted with my expectations, as Americans are not typically avid fans of this sport," said Nam Nguyen, 28, from California. Having lived here for three years, Nam grew accustomed to football ranking below basketball and baseball in popularity. However, the World Cup 2026 has noticeably shifted this perception.

Across Los Angeles, many restaurants and cafes installed large screens for fans. Even during summer break, some summer schools broadcast matches for students at suitable times. The American way of watching football also differs; they rarely gather in cafes or public viewing areas. Instead, the excitement for matches often begins in parking lots with tailgating parties. Hours before kickoff, groups of fans open their truck beds, set up grills, and enjoy barbecues, eating and socializing before entering the stadium.

Nam Nguyen at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California, US on 12/6. *Photo courtesy of interviewee*

On 12/6, Nam attended the World Cup opening match between host nation the US and Paraguay. She observed how Americans had transformed the event into a commercial festival. Helicopters bearing brand logos continuously circled the stadium area. Inside, extensive advertisements were interspersed with musical performances and light shows during halftime. Services for food, drinks, jerseys, and souvenirs were readily available throughout the stands.

"Everything surrounding the match is designed to encourage spectators to spend money right at the stadium," she noted. Nam explained this differs from fans back home, who typically budget for post-match celebrations.

What impressed her most was the stringent security system, similar to airport procedures. The stands, filled with 70,000 spectators, maintained order, a stark contrast to the familiar scenes at many Vietnamese football stadiums, where horns, drums, and loudspeakers create a boisterous atmosphere. This order was maintained through multiple layers of control. From the outer perimeter, police on horseback and bicycles constantly patrolled. At the entrance, spectators passed through metal detectors and had their bags manually inspected. Food, drinks, and sunscreen sprays were prohibited inside the stadium. Those carrying non-compliant bags had to return to a storage area to transfer their belongings into clear plastic bags of the correct size, then queue for security screening again before entering the stands.

People watching football in a pub in Nottingham, England, in 6/2026. *Photo: Ngoc Ngan*

The World Cup atmosphere in England also offered a different experience for Vietnamese. Living in Leeds, Thanh Huyen, 27, observed that for the English, football is an integral part of life; when their national team plays, they display intense emotions. The way English fans react to match results also differs from Vietnamese supporters. While Vietnamese are ready to "storm the streets" (celebrate boisterously) even if their team loses in a final, the English consistently carry the "football's coming home" mentality at every major tournament. This expectation of winning creates immense psychological pressure on fans with every draw or defeat. "The English live and breathe football, so when their team plays, their emotions erupt to a breathtaking degree," Huyen remarked.

Following England's victory over Croatia on 18/6, Huyen witnessed tens of thousands of people flooding the streets, prompting police to block traffic. Fans stood on bus stop roofs, cheering loudly across the streets.

For Viet Anh, a fan from Hanoi, the World Cup in the US extended beyond the stadium stands; it was a street festival. He arrived in the US in early 6 to follow the event. He observed the tournament transforming the atmosphere into a festive one, from flags and flowers adorning avenues to lively bars. Viet Anh noted that the biggest difference was the sense of connection. Football fans from other countries often attend matches with familiar groups like family or friends. In the US, spectators easily strike up conversations and befriend strangers simply by sharing a love for football or wearing similar team colors. Fans from Argentina, Brazil, or Japan freely took photos together.

This atmosphere turned bars into mini-stadiums, where strangers readily stood up to celebrate goals. Even after matches concluded, fans from opposing teams would still raise a glass and chat. "I had many interesting conversations just because I was wearing a Vietnamese ao dai," he said.

Ngoc Ngan