The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered surprises on and off the pitch. For one, it’s well-known for being an expensive event, brought about via the introduction of dynamic pricing into the world’s sport. But it’s also bringing about a new sense of community, thanks in part to cities like New York offering free watch parties or even school buses to the stadiums disconnected from public transportation. And in addition to the hat tricks and scissor kicks dominating this year’s tournament, there’s one unexpected breakout star: ranch dressing.
As international fans descended on the U.S. for the World Cup, hosted also by Canada and Mexico, ranch dressing emerged as one of the more viral stars of the tournament. Europeans, in particular, have been flooding social media with stunned reactions to the salad dressing.
