Foreign visitors to the US for the 2026 World Cup experienced distinctive American features: tasting Raising Cane's fried chicken for the first time, visiting large rest stops like Buc-ee's shopping centers, and realizing that almost everything in the US is substantial. Their perception of America became far more positive than prior understandings gleaned from traditional media or social networks.

From across continents, thousands of social media posts by World Cup fans shared a common sentiment: Americans are incredibly hospitable. Locals and international fans congregated in bars, paraded through streets, and cheered loudly in stadiums.

Sebastian Reader, 28, from London, England, a long-time admirer of American culture, arranged his work for a three-month trip during the World Cup. He followed the England team everywhere and consistently received friendliness from locals, not just in major cities like Chicago and Boston but also in less populated states such as Arkansas.

In Dallas, an acquaintance at a Mexican restaurant showed him a pickup truck, starting the engine and revving it so he could hear the sound. Another person Reader met in a bar invited him and his friend back to his porch, where they chatted about movies and sports until 2h.

"That was a quintessential American experience in Dallas. He had a truly American setup, complete with an outdoor TV, a fridge full of beer, large bug zappers, and a massive fan," Reader said.

Spanish football fans at the World Cup. Photo: AP

Harry Gunns, 30, also from London, had visited Texas and California last year. However, it was only during his World Cup trip to the US that he truly felt "absolute hospitality" from Uber drivers to hotel staff. Many Americans also took to social media to suggest attractions and dining spots for World Cup visitors. Some even invited Gunns to their homes for a meal they cooked themselves.

"It felt like home the moment I arrived. In England, it usually takes a while for people to open up, but here, it was almost immediate," Gunns shared.

Victoria Phillips-Hunter, from Carlisle, England, who has experience working in the service industry herself, offered effusive praise for the staff in America's service, restaurant, and hotel sectors.

"I completely understand why staff in the US work and live off tips because they deserve it. They make you want to stay, and you know they've put in 100% effort to care for customers," Phillips-Hunter, 34, stated.

Many tourists attributed the perception of political division in the US to media portrayals, noting that their actual experiences were vastly different. Phillips-Hunter had been anxious before her trip due to social media videos depicting people being pulled from cars or shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. However, her real-life experience in the US was so positive that she hoped for a longer stay.

Gunns believed some individuals boycotted the US due to political reasons. He felt that media often creates an impression of Americans being overly proud of their nation. While positive, this is sometimes misconstrued as an unwillingness to accept or like people from other places.

"The reality is completely opposite," he remarked.

As for Reader, despite initially preparing himself to witness political polarization, he found Americans to be very friendly. Americans were curious about his thoughts on Trump or America's car-centric culture compared to London's public transport system. He resolved this by adhering to a simple personal rule: avoiding political conversations. This approach was also understood by many Americans.

Tam Anh (via AP)