World Cup tourists visiting the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been sharing their honest feedback on the experience so far, with many praising the friendliness of locals and the diversity of the country, while also noting the high costs, large portion sizes, tipping culture, and vast distances. A Reddit thread started by user u/almighty_smiley asked "World Cup tourists, what's your honest feedback on the USA so far?" and garnered hundreds of responses.
Friendly Locals and Diverse Scenery Impress Visitors
Many tourists highlighted the warmth and hospitality of Americans. User u/cowpool20 commented, "I'm not trying to be offensive at all — so far, every American I've met has been incredibly friendly — but man…you guys are loud." Another user, u/scoopydidit, noted, "It's not like what the news portrays. You guys have beautiful scenery and people." A Swedish fan traveling through Midwest host cities shared, "Small-town Indiana spots have exceeded every expectation — super welcoming locals, cheap diners, wide scenic roads, exactly the folksy US image you see in films."
User u/tigglin praised the diversity, especially in California: "Very diverse (at least in California) and no one treats you as a 'foreigner' if you are not white. You really don't feel like an outsider as a person of color, which is really nice. As a foreigner, I truly don't think I've ever felt so accepted anywhere else I've been so far."
High Costs and Tipping Culture Surprise Tourists
Despite the positive experiences, many tourists were taken aback by the high prices and tipping expectations. User u/itsokay_28 remarked, "Nobody warned me that American portion sizes are actually a threat to your health. I ordered a medium coffee and received what my country would classify as a bucket." A user from New York noted, "All the food has been really good, and supermarket selection is amazing, although insanely expensive to me."
Tipping was a common theme, with user u/MarvaJnr stating, "Tipping is ridiculous. I'm doing 20% everywhere because I want to be a respectful guest, but it is insane." A Swiss fan from Zürich said, "Hospitality is amazing. Something new for me is how friendly and outgoing everyone is. Even the prices are nearly the same as in the most expensive city in my country."
Visa Delays and Logistical Challenges
The Swedish fan also highlighted visa issues: "Visa delays were a minor headache for me, but a huge barrier for fans from African and Middle Eastern nations, which sucks for a tournament meant to unite global supporters." He added, "Infrastructure holds up well once you're actually at the match; the pre-game logistics just need massive work." User u/Global-Vast8750 commented, "I came for football and accidentally got a geography lesson. The country is HUGE."
User u/Straight-Order4674 summed it up: "The stadiums are amazing. The traffic? Less amazing." Another user noted, "Everything is so spread out. Traveling between host cities is expensive and tiring. Prices are brutal — hotels, tickets on resale, even basic food and drinks. Feels like they're trying to squeeze every dollar."
American Responses Welcome Visitors
Americans also chimed in to welcome the visitors. User u/Larry-Lasagna said, "America loves you back! Welcome!" User u/Cryptic_Honeybadger added, "These comments give me hope that our humanity and hospitality as a country are not lost. Governments are not a representation of its people. We welcome you all here as our guests. Have fun!" User u/politicaldan humorously noted, "Despite everything, this is still America. We may not know your name, your language, or basic world history, but by god, you're not leaving here without a plate of barbecue and three people telling you to be safe on the way home."
