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 storyOver 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.
