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58 Culture Shocks International Soccer Fans Experienced While Visiting The United States
Travel,LifestyleJUL 16, 2026

58 Culture Shocks International Soccer Fans Experienced While Visiting The United States

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In 2026, the FIFA World Cup (which is held every four years) is being played in 16 North American cities: two in Canada, three in Mexico, and eleven in the United States. It's the biggest tournament of the most popular sport on Earth, so millions of fans traveled across the globe to support their national teams on the main stage.
And while they came first and foremost for the soccer, many also discovered a very different side of the primary host, the US, than they had expected. Some experiences surprised people so much that they even took to social media to share their reactions. So we decided to compile the culture shocks they encountered to show the country through the eyes of its foreign visitors.

#41

A close-up of a deep-dish pizza with a thick crust and rich red sauce, illustrating a culinary American culture shock.
10points

#42

A tweet about a child enjoying a brownie, an American food experience for World Cup soccer fans.
10points

#43

A huge hotel bed in the USA, a culture shock for soccer fans with Japanese height.
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10points

#44

A sign for margaritas to go at a gas station, a surprising sight reflecting American culture shocks.
10points

#45

A person struggles to use an American-style shower, a common culture shock for soccer fans in the USA.
9points

#46

A Golden Corral restaurant and a plate of fried chicken, mac & cheese, green beans, and cornbread, highlighting American culture shock.
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8points

#47

A man with a beard holding a bottle of yellow Gatorade, representing a culture shock experience for soccer fans in the USA.
8points

#48

A blue Ford F-250 pickup truck parked in a lot, illustrating the common sight of trucks in Texas and USA culture shocks.
8points

#49

A display of soccer jerseys in Dallas, with a burger and fries meal, showing a culture shock for fans in the USA.
7points

#50

A man in a soccer jersey inside a Waymo autonomous taxi heading to SoFi Stadium, a unique USA culture shock.
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7points

#51

A comment from soccer fans about the USA culture shock of brutal heat in Massachusetts and New England.
7points

#52

A tweet by Freddy showing soccer fans the USA culture shock of high resale ticket prices for the Germany-Ecuador game, ranging from $1,423.70 to $115,000 USD.
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6points

#53

Empty streets in America, highlighting car-centric culture shock for soccer fans visiting the USA.
5points

#54

A person holding a very large measuring cup in a store aisle, highlighting a culture shock about sizes in the USA.
5points

#55

A vibrant street scene in an American city at dusk, with neon lights and people, illustrating a culture shock for soccer fans.
4points

#56

A screenshot of a tweet showing a Facebook post about a loud boom in Polk County, TN, highlighting culture shocks in the USA.
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4points

#57

A tweet showing a British girl enjoying Chick-fil-A chicken and sauces, part of her culture shock experience in America.
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2points

#58

A large pack of bottled water by Pure Life, illustrating the culture shock of water costs for soccer fans in the USA.
0points
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