World Cup tourists discover America — and delight us all
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Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios. Stock: Getty Images
The 2026 World Cup is generating a veritable army of modern-day de Tocquevilles discovering America.
Why it matters: It's a huge moment for U.S. soft power, as the country nears its 250 birthday with a mixed global reputation at best.
Driving the news: Boston welcoming Scottish fans is the off-the-pitch story of the tournament so far.
- The Scots seem enamored with Beantown, and vice versa.
- They drank the Sam Adams brewery dry. They brought soccer superfan energy to Fenway (one wee lad took home a souvenir). They're cleaning up after themselves, too.
One Scottish fan even reviewed an American emergency room in Taunton, Mass.
- They'll later visit Miami, where Scotland has their final group stage match on June 24 versus Brazil.
- Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has since announced a formal partnership with Glasgow, local media reports.
Then there's "Freddy," the Germany fan whose low-budget odyssey across America has gone viral.
- His awe-inspired takes on U.S. arenas, food and even gas stations (Buc-ees and Waffle House got rave reviews) have captured the hearts of millions of Americans, helping us see ourselves only the way an open-minded tourist with fresh eyes can.
A Japan supporter has racked up over 16 million views on their downright poetic missive about free chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant.
- "In my land, hospitality is a debt. Every gift creates an obligation, weighed carefully, returned in the proper season with interest of feeling."
- "Here, the gift arrives before you have even proven you can pay for dinner. This is not an appetizer. This is a declaration: we trust you. Eat."
- Like the Scots, Japanese fans are also winning over hearts and minds with their tradition of cleaning up arenas after games.
Yes, but: It's not all rosy — some Europeans are struggling in the heat of the Southern summer, as predicted.
- "We owe America an apology," one England fan posted. "I have just landed for the World Cup and they have been right about the heat this whole time."
What they're saying: Yves Dominique, a first-generation Haitian living in Atlanta who flew to Boston for last weekend's Haiti-Scotland match, told Axios' Steph Solis: "This is like no other World Cups. People come in from all places, and they're just here to have fun."
- "That's what soccer does. That's what fútbol does."
The bottom line: Welcome to America, soccer fans. We're glad to have you.
