Many expected the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be defined by politics. Or prices. Or visa denials. Or any number of headaches potentially awaiting travelling supporters.
Instead, some of the tournament’s biggest talking points have had nothing to do with football at all.
Norwegian fans have taken over a baseball stadium, Scots have charmed Boston bartenders, a German bloke has become America’s biggest Waffle House ambassador, and hordes of visiting fans have discovered the culinary treasure that is ranch salad dressing.
Here are some of the tournament’s most unexpectedly delightful moments, none of which have occurred on the pitch itself. So far.
Norway discovers baseball
