Nearly three weeks into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, international fans have discovered that the biggest surprises haven’t all happened on the pitch.
Across social media, visitors have been documenting their fascination with distinctly American institutions and traditions — from Buc-ee’s travel centers and ranch dressing to supersized drinks, barbecue platters and warehouse-sized sporting goods stores — turning everyday U.S. life into one of the tournament’s unexpected side stories.
