International soccer fans flocking to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are becoming internet sensations — not for their chants or jerseys, but for their completely genuine reactions to Costco, Walmart, and fast food portion sizes.
Over the past week, videos and posts from these fans have exploded on TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube. Tourists from Brazil, Morocco, Argentina, and beyond are experiencing American consumer culture for the first time. The results are both hilarious and heartwarming.
What’s Actually Going Viral
The common thread is scale. American stores, meals, and highways all look different through fresh eyes. Fans from countries with smaller, neighborhood-based grocery shops walk into a Costco — a warehouse retailer selling everything from furniture to rotisserie chickens in bulk — and are visibly overwhelmed.
One popular clip features Moroccan fans in the cereal aisle of a Walmart, marveling at the vast wall of options. Another shows an Argentine supporter ordering what he thought was a regular soda at a fast food restaurant. Instead, he gets a cup the size of a small bucket. His reaction — a slow turn to the camera with wide eyes — has racked up millions of views.
The fast food discoveries seem to be a particularly rich source of content. Fans are capturing their first experiences with dollar menus, free refills (which genuinely surprises many visitors from countries where refills cost extra), drive-throughs, and combo meal sizes.
The World Cup Context
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the U.S. hosting most matches in 11 cities like New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. This marks the first World Cup in North America since 1994 and the first ever with an expanded 48-team format, leading to more countries participating and fans traveling.
This larger field means more international visitors are arriving in American cities, many of whom have never been to the U.S. before. This cultural collision is generating content almost automatically.
| 2026 FIFA World Cup: By The Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Host cities in the U.S. | 11 |
| Total teams competing | 48 (expanded from 32) |
| Host countries | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| First North American World Cup since | 1994 |
| U.S. opening match result | Victory (advancing from Group Stage) |
Why This Is Connecting With People Online
This content resonates because it’s genuine and not mean-spirited. The visiting fans aren’t mocking American culture; they’re genuinely delighted by it. Meanwhile, Americans watching these videos aren’t laughing at the tourists; they’re laughing in recognition. Many can relate to the thought, “That IS a lot of cereal.”
Plus, this comes at a time when the internet could really use some positivity. Sports rivalries, especially during a heated tournament like the World Cup, can turn ugly online. Videos of fans bonding over a shared sense of wonder at a 44-ounce drink counteract that negativity.
What Fans Are Saying Online
“My cousin came from Colombia for the games and I took him to a Texas Roadhouse. He just kept saying ‘this is the bread’ over and over. He meant the complimentary rolls. He asked if we could skip the actual meal and just eat bread. We did.”
— u/PiedmontCarolina, r/funny
“As someone who lived in Europe for three years, I remember coming back to the US and being genuinely shocked by Costco again. These videos are making me see it with new eyes. The $1.50 hot dog combo is objectively insane.”
— YouTube comment on a viral World Cup tourist compilation, 4.2k likes
What This Means
For everyday Americans, this viral moment is all in good fun — a reminder that things we take for granted here don’t exist in the same way elsewhere. Free drink refills, 24-hour stores, drive-through pharmacies, and 30-flavor ice cream shops are not universal experiences.
For cities hosting World Cup matches, the tourism boost is real and significant. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses near places like MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and AT&T Stadium in Dallas are seeing plenty of foot traffic from international visitors, who are more than willing to spend money on surprising and delightful experiences.
If you’re planning to watch the matches, Fubo, TNT, and Telemundo will provide live coverage. You can find free streaming options through select providers. Mashable has a daily schedule guide tracking kickoff times and stream links as the tournament unfolds. CNET offers a deeper look at the viral tourist reaction trend, showcasing more examples of the specific videos driving the conversation.
What To Watch
- Group Stage runs through late June: More international fans will arrive during this time, increasing the volume of “tourist discovers America” content.
- U.S. team performance: The American squad started strong and is gaining momentum. A deep run by the home team would keep domestic attention high and extend the cultural collision content cycle.
- Knockout rounds in July: As the bracket narrows, fan bases for the remaining teams will gather in specific host cities, likely creating even more focused cultural moments as passionate supporters from one country fill an American metro area.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
