How the World Cup has given tourists a new perspective on American food culture

At the 2026 World Cup, hosts United States went from underdogs to archvillains after one shady call to Fifa from Donald Trump, which led to a star player’s red card being suspended.

But outside the games, America seems to have made a much better impression – on social media at least – with plenty of international visitors and first-time tourists exhibiting fondness for the land of the free and the home of the brave. Football fans were especially wowed by America’s food and its great abundance.

Over the last couple of weeks, my feeds have been full of wide-eyed Europeans marvelling at jumbo-sized Cheetos cheese puff containers and gargantuan packs of meat in Costco, Walmart and other supermarkets.

I especially got a kick from people discovering the previously untried and unheralded flavour of ranch dressing. It is undoubtedly an American creation, made with buttermilk, garlic, onion and herbs. Some visitors even acted as if they were going to buy an entire shopping trolley of the bottled dressing to bring home. However, I suspect that is just a performative act. Ranch is good, but not that good.

Dr Pepper, on the other hand, is an American original I would stow a six-pack of in my suitcase.

Other tourists are awestruck by American restaurants and diners. Instead of shock and awe, it is gawk and wonder when a mountain of cheese nachos and a T-bone steak bigger than their head arrives at the table. Naturally, who doesn’t love being lavished with more than they need or expect?