World Cup fans from around the globe share 1st US food experiences on social media
The diplomatic power of American food has become a breakout star of World Cup content on social media.
From massive trays of traditional Texas barbecue to late night orders at Waffle House, thousands of tourists who have flocked to the U.S. for the first time to attend 2026 FIFA World Cup matches are obsessing over their first taste of American food and dining culture.
World Cup visitors react to beloved American foods
Before international tourists even stepped foot in stadiums hosting the various World Cup matches this month, they had begun filling social media feeds with videos of themselves trying new favorite bites from fast food chains, discovering free refills on drinks, and deli sandwiches at regional grocery stores.
"I feel like I'm living in a movie," one Swedish influencer wrote on X last week alongside a photo of a gas station Twinkie and bag of Buffalo Blue Cheese Combos.
Scottish tourist Erin O'Connell shared a video on TikTok -- one that has since amassed more than 400,000 views -- enjoying her first experience eating a box combo meal from Raising Cane's in Boston, which she gave a "10 out of 10," adding, "The sauce is delish."
Upon swarming Beantown for the match against Haiti, a kilt-wearing wave of Scots drank the Sam Adams Downtown Boston Taproom dry over the weekend, a representative for the Boston Beer Company confirmed to ABC News.
From Thursday through Sunday, the taproom sold more than 3,000 pints, the representative said, and fans consumed four times as much of the iconic beer as the brewery runs through on a typical four-day holiday stretch, such as the Fourth of July.
The representative said the establishment had to schedule what they called an "emergency delivery" on Saturday morning, and teams picked up 70 empty kegs on Monday.
One particular social media user, a German fan known on X as @FreddyLA7, has amassed viral attention while documenting his culinary escapades around the U.S., which have so far included Taco Bell, Chipotle, Waffle House and more.
His dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings on June 11 for the World Cup's opening match earned a heart-eye emoji in the caption and garnered more than 2.7 million views.
In another post, he showed off a Taco Bell order, which included the popular Mountain Dew Baja Blast.
"The holy land," he wrote in the caption.
Taylor Montgomery, global chief brand officer at Taco Bell, told ABC News that for many World Cup visitors, experiencing certain foods in the U.S. may be the culmination of many years of seeing the foods in pop culture.
"For many international visitors, a Taco Bell run is practically a rite of passage," he said. "Long before they arrive in the U.S., they've seen the brand show up across movies, social media and pop culture, making that first order part of the experience they've been looking forward to."
"It's been special for us to see those experiences being shared online," Montgomery added.
With 11 cities hosting games across the country, visitors from around the world are settling in temporarily in places like Dallas (Japan), Kansas City (Netherlands) and Seattle (Australia), each sharing their unique palate perspectives.
A group of Japanese soccer fans told ABC News Dallas affiliate WFAA they were "excited" to get to try some steaks, burgers and Terry Black's Barbecue -- a Texas institution known for its pit-smoked meats -- during their time in the city.
"I'm so happy to eat everything," one fan said, while another hailed the cuisine as "so good."
Michelle Korsmo, CEO and president of the National Restaurant Association, told ABC News the trade group has been excited to see international travelers "learning what we already know -- you can't top American restaurants for amazing food and fantastic places to gather."
"Chefs, cooks, servers, hosts, and countless others in cities throughout the country have been preparing to welcome travelers and fans to their tables this summer," she said. "There's something special about coming together in a restaurant to share the joy of fabulous food and exciting games. I think that joy is exactly what we're seeing on social media and at our tables."
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