International World Cup fans visiting the United States for this year’s soccer tournament are not just cheering on their home teams. They are falling in love with staples of American culture, from department stores such as Target to restaurant chains including Waffle House.
Bars, restaurants and stores largely unfamiliar overseas are winning over travelers who are sharing on social media their experience in America. The event has turned cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico into outdoor parties where citizens from different cultures drink, sing and watch what they call football as they take in local — particularly American — customs.
Along with curiousity about distinctly U.S. products such as ranch salad dressing, tourists have focused on shops and brands. The FIFA World Cup is expected to bring $1.47 billion to United States wholesale and retail sectors, according to trade group ICSC, as the event raises the average daily hotel rate in host cities.
Among the U.S. culinary practices, relatively large portion sizes seem to shock a number of visitors. An Australian family visiting the casual dining chain Chili’s described the meals as “huge.” A tourist from Japan trying fast food from the Whataburger chain for the first time said his sandwich was “so big.”
Here are some commercial property hubs attracting social media buzz from travelers:
Buc-ee’s
One British couple documented their reaction to visiting the combination gas station and general store chain Buc-ee’s.
They declared: “Only America can make a gas station an attraction that everybody wants to come and see. It’s Disneyland for hungry adults.”
@user4579019779493 Touring Buc-ee's as a South African #tourist #fyp #usa #worldcup #sports ♬ original sound - ziggy
A South African man visiting Buc-ee’s said: “You know when they say everything’s big in America, they weren’t lying.”
Air-conditioned stadiums
At the sports venue hosting matches outside Dallas, an England fan described the air conditioning as “glorious.”
@davidblackm0re 35°C in Dallas, dripping in sweat & then I walked into AT&T Stadium… and it felt like stepping into a fridge. I’ve never experienced anything like it at a football match. The stadium was already one of the most impressive I’ve ever visited, but the air conditioning takes it to another level. A few hours later, England beat Croatia, and walking back outside felt like someone had turned the oven back on. If every stadium at this World Cup was air conditioned, I genuinely think England would have a huge advantage. The Three Lions would thrive in these conditions. Best stadium I’ve ever been to? It might just be. I wonder when will we see a World Cup where all the stadiums are air conditioned? #england#Englandions #worldCup2026#WorldCup2026#footballtiktok ♬ original sound - David Blackmore
He added that “it’s like walking into a fridge.”
Target
A British man traveling to the department store Target was appreciative of how the retail location had not only food products, but also electronics, toys and a pharmacy.
@jordananthonyofficial @target You have gained a fan in me. #worldcup #usa #britinamerica ♬ original sound - Jordan Anthony
“The one thing I love about American supermarkets is they just have everything in here,” he said.
Waffle House
One visitor shared how a late-night experience at breakfast restaurant chain Waffle House, open 24 hours a day, was worthwhile.
Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff. 10/10, we will be coming back.😋 pic.twitter.com/QHgftpqfoX
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 8, 2026
A Scottish tourist agreed, jokingly tearing up eating his last waffle in the United States before heading home. “It’s so good,” he said.
Walmart
The size of products at department store Walmart shocked globetrotters in America.
@lisandru_susini Walmart is always such a fun experience🤣🤣🇺🇸#walmart#etatsunis🇺🇸#foodreview#studyabroad ♬ sonido original - _melomanos.Oficial
“Why is it so big?” one visitor said, lifting a jug of tomato sauce.