NEW YORK, June 20 : Ahead of the World Cup, many international fans were sceptical of the idea of the U.S. as co-hosts for soccer's biggest tournament. There were worries over visa access, high costs, gun violence, a lack of local interest in the sport and more.While those worries have not been entirely dispe

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.

Most headlines from the first week of World Cup matches have been from the games themselves. But off the field, American host cities and the way they’ve embraced teams from around…

Initial skepticism about the U.S. co-hosting the World Cup is giving way to positive experiences for international fans. Discoveries of American hospitality, unique retail…