Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many expected and claimed that the United States would not be a successful host for soccer's biggest tournament.
With the World Cup approaching the end of the group stage, it's become clear that those expectations could not have been more wrong. Games have been full, even those between smaller countries held at inopportune times. Or those held in difficult weather conditions.
One random German fan who posted on X about how much he liked traveling around the American South has been treated like royalty. Invited backstage at big concerts. Helped out by airlines and politicians after a flight was canceled. Many others have posted about the hospitality they've enjoyed while visiting the United States. Or how good the food at unremarkable chains actually is.
Then there's the other World Cup tradition we didn't know we needed: fans of European teams attending Major League Baseball games.
WORLD CUP FANS FALL IN LOVE WITH AMERICAN CULTURE, COMFORT FOOD CLASSICS
Scotland fans wearing kilts and playing bagpipes march to Fenway Park in Massachusetts on June 14, 2026. (Bob Dechiara/Imagn Images)
"The Tartan Army," the nickname for the Scottish National Team's fanbase, had the time of their lives attending a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. Singing songs, even after the music ended, to the point where announcers on the national broadcast brought up what an experience it was.
Then they migrated south to Miami, creating the best atmosphere in Marlins Park since the World Baseball Classic.
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Now, we've got yet another national team's fanbase taking over a stadium. This time, it was the Norwegian fans at Citi Field bringing atmosphere to the most unlikely place: a New York Mets game. During the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs, they turned the bleachers into a longship with the traditional "Viking Row" celebration. Even the Mets' mascots, Mr. and Mrs. Met, got involved, too.
Norway national soccer team fans show support with Mr. and Mrs. Met during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field in New York City on June 24, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
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They also provided the most unintentionally funny moment of the broadcast when Dansby Swanson hit a game-changing three-run homer for the Cubs. After the ball cleared the fence, the camera panned to the right-field stands where the Norwegian fans were ... doing a celebratory walk through the bleachers. At a home game for the Mets.
Norway national soccer team fans sample food at Citi Field during the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs in New York City, New York, on June 24, 2026. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
These videos of European fans enjoying a slice of American culture have been a heartwarming reminder of what the World Cup is all about. And a reminder that the pre-Cup doom and gloom was always ideologically motivated nonsense. It's been a tremendous success, and much of the credit goes to America and its people.
Ian Miller is a writer at OutKick.
