The 2026 World Cup, the largest and highest-scoring in competition history, is drawing visitors from around the globe, many of whom are discovering an America that differs significantly from the one they were warned about.
Social media is filled with accounts from international attendees who expected a country depicted as dirty, divided, and unfriendly, but instead found welcoming people and a scale of consumerism that surprised them. One French traveler described a visit to a Costco as akin to entering a new World Cup stadium due to its immense size. An Australian fan remarked on the vastness of American suburbs, noting that "each city is like a whole country." A visitor from England bluntly stated, "The America everyone warned me about was rude, dangerous and broken," but found the reality to be the opposite, with "the friendliest people in the world, strangers inviting me into their homes."
For immigrants who have made a life in the United States, this discovery resonates with their own experiences. One Iranian immigrant who moved to the U.S. two years ago spoke of the emotional complexity of watching his homeland compete while rebuilding his life in America. He expressed sadness for Iran but found solace in the safety and freedom the U.S. offers. "In Iran, you're afraid all the time, you can lose your home, your job, even your life," he stated. "Living in America is really hard, but at least I feel safe and I don't have to worry about going to jail for no reason."
![The America everyone warned me about was rude, dangerous and broken,' says one World Cup visitor. 'But the one I actually turned up to [had the] friendliest people in the world, strangers inviting me into their homes…We owe America an apology](https://skyline.hi-rise.media/images/q5DhQKYeGLBP "'The America everyone warned me about was rude, dangerous and broken,' says one World Cup visitor. 'But the one I actually turned up to [had the] friendliest people in the world, strangers inviting me into their homes…We owe America an apology")
This perspective highlights the opportunities available in America, from the vastness of its consumer markets to the personal success stories of entrepreneurs. The article notes the irony that the freedom to criticize one's own government, a luxury many take for granted, is itself a product of the institutions that are sometimes derided.
Despite acknowledging the country's persistent political divisions and legislative gridlock, the narrative suggests that the spirit of opportunity and the capacity to absorb a diverse global population remain defining characteristics. The article concludes that the ability to reinvent oneself is a core attraction of the United States, even amidst its contradictions.
