The soccer fans who fell in love with America during the World Cup
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- The 2026 World Cup in the U.S. was a major success both on and off the field, with record TV ratings and fans from around the world engaging in cultural exchanges.
- Kansas City, the smallest host city, became a hub for Algerian fans, who enjoyed warm hospitality and boosted local businesses, such as a T-shirt shop in nearby Lawrence, Kansas.
- Norway’s “Viking Row” celebration, featuring fans mimicking rowing in a Viking longboat, gained widespread popularity and was performed at various events beyond soccer matches.
- Ranch dressing emerged as a surprising favorite American food among international fans, even prompting a playful warning from the TSA about taking bottles out of the country.
- Scotland’s Tartan Army made a memorable impact in cities like Boston and Miami, famously consuming record amounts of beer and showcasing their cultural traditions with kilts and bagpipes.
