How World Cup tourists have fallen in love with America, and America has fallen in love with the tourists

The World Cup was always going to be the main attraction. The goals. The drama. The heartbreak. What’s been a bonus is the America-World Cup love story.

Over the past week, millions of tourists from all over the world have poured into cities from coast to coast, wearing national colors, singing songs in a dozen languages, and somehow finding themselves discussing soccer with people who, a month ago, thought 4-3-3 was an area code.

The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making it the first time in history that the tournament has been shared across three host nations.

And now something else has happened: Tourists have fallen in love with the U.S. Not its politics, or headlines, or internet arguments. But the America of barbecue recommendations from strangers. Of bartenders who want to know where you’re from. Of volunteers pointing lost fans toward train stations.

Founder of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy, who admitted he’s never been a big soccer guy, said, “For the 1st time in my life I have caught World Cup Fever.” He shared a five-minute X post about his newfound love for the World Cup, specifically the fans from other nations who have descended on the country, highlighting Scotland’s “Tartan Army”, as well as Norwegian and Dutch supporters.

“This World Cup, seeing these other countries coming to the United States — we’ve got the Scots going absolutely bananas, the ‘Tartan Army’ in Boston… I had no interest in going to these games, but I may go to Boston Friday and hang out with the Tartan Army all day and go to the game,” he said.

Many fans expecting one type of America have arrived to discover a country that is much warmer, friendlier, and more curious than they ever imagined. Fans from Europe have marveled at the sheer scale of everything from iconic fast food chains to notable attractions. 

One German soccer fan, named Freddy, has gone viral for capturing his American tour experience on his X account @FreddyLA7. His photos and videos capture his experience at some of America’s best-known chain restaurants, including Waffle House, which he declared a 10/10, Whataburger, and his most recent experience of receiving a tour from NASA astronaut Anne McClain. 

On the other side, Americans have embraced the tourists. Despite drinking a prolific amount of alcohol during their weeklong stay in Boston (Scotland has two games at the New England Patriots’ home stadium), one city worker marveled at how a 2,000-strong contingent left the area exceptionally clean after a day of festivities, adding that he needed no assistance with the cleanup.  

“They deep, man, and they can drink too! They must don’t have water over there in Scotland. After they’re gone, I’m one person cleaning up after them, and it’s not that bad. They came, conducted themselves with class, dignity, and they like our city. So I’m happy they came,” he said. 

Scotland also left its mark on baseball when it took over Fenway Park to take in a baseball game on the Sunday after its 1-0 win over Haiti. Laura Stickells, a reporter who covers the visiting Texas Rangers, declared it “probably the best environment I’ve been in other than a playoff game.”

FIFA also captured Japan fans cleaning up after themselves during the actual game. “That’s the culture,” said a fan. “But it’s like a respect for everything, respect for the players, supporters, and also for the stadium. We are honored to be here, so we don’t want to make a mess and then leave it.” Jameis Winston, the New York Giants quarterback and a special correspondent for Fox Sports during the tournament, helped the Japanese fans clean up.

WORLD CUP FANS ARE FALLING IN LOVE WITH AMERICA: JOE CONCHA

Americans have discovered that World Cup supporters are impossible not to enjoy, and the World Cup has reminded Americans of some things they occasionally forget, that sometimes Americans take it all for granted. 

Some Americans, however, have never needed the reminder, including Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha.

“We are living in the greatest country in the world, the most wealthy country in the world, and the most fun country in the world,” he said.

Fans have also been giving back to their hosts. Among them is 22-year-old Craig Ferguson, a Scotland fan who walked 100 days across the U.S. for Scottish Action, Scotland’s national mental health charity. 

Ferguson told NBC Boston that his goal was not only to make it to Boston before Scotland’s first World Cup match in 28 years, but also to honor the death of a friend’s father. In addition, Scottish fans donated $30,000 to charities in Providence, Rhode Island.

“Everything is just big, ginormous, extra large,” one fan said. 

“Everything in the U.S. simply beats anything I’ve ever experienced, anywhere in the world,” another said.

MAMDANI SAYS ‘SOCCER WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS’ OVER ICE CONCERNS IN NYC FOR WORLD CUP

Long after the final trophy lift and the last fan has boarded a flight home, many of the most cherished memories will have nothing to do with soccer at all.

“God Bless America, this place is freaking awesome,” one fan said. “All glory goes to God for preserving this wonderful country.”