From large fountain drinks and massive gas stations to late-night visits to Waffle House, many of the everyday sights Americans take for granted have now become attractions of their own for international fans visiting the U.S. and celebrating the 2026 World Cup soccer matches. 

While soccer remains the main reason for making the trip, fans from essentially every corner of the globe are turning host U.S. cities into fun-loving party towns – with activities like visiting kitschy shops and having a beer with local residents, melting into the melting pot America has to offer.

In Boston, Scotland's passionate fanbase, also known as the "Tartan Army", have flooded the city streets with bagpipes, kilts, chants, and endless alcoholic beverages as they celebrate their nation's return to the World Cup stage after a 28-year drought.

Their rowdiness and enthusiasm for the team have become one of the biggest stories of the tournament's opening week, with news reports of bars and even airplanes running low on beer as Scottish fans arrive in large numbers.

"The Scots fans just drank the place dry," a fan in Boston told NBC News. "Then all they had was like Bud Light."

Meanwhile, a municipal employee marveled not only at the visitors' drinking habits, but also at how little cleanup they left behind. 

"Are you kidding me, man? They must got no water over there in Scotland," he said jokingly during a local television interview. "I'm one person cleaning up after them, and it ain't that bad."

The "army" even brought its spirit to America's pastime. The Boston Red Sox hosted a Scottish Heritage Night shortly after Scotland's opening 1-0 victory over Haiti, with fans filling Fenway Park in tartan attire.

Similar situations are playing out across the country, as Argentine supporters bring their chants to Kansas City, Japanese fans clean up stadium stands in Dallas, and Brazilian fans celebrate in Times Square with fans of the newly crowned NBA champions, the New York Knicks.

The internet has fallen in love with German tourist Freddy, who has been documenting his World Cup road trip across America on X. His journey has included tubing down the Chattahoochee River, dining in at Waffle House, meeting former NFL star J.J. Watt and listening to country superstar Ella Langley while exploring small-town stops along the way.

One of his favorite moments came unexpectedly while driving through the South.

"The most surreal thing of our trip so far ... driving towards Louisiana and the radio station we were listening to started talking about our trip and played Ella Langley especially for us," Freddy wrote in a post on X.

His posts have turned him into one of the tournament's unlikely viral sensations. Even catching the attention of Langley herself, scoring tickets, and even a potential meet and greet with the American singer-songwriter.

"WE'RE GOING TO AN ELLA LANGLEY CONCERT ON THE 18TH AND WE’RE EVEN GOING TO MEET HER!!!! He posted on X.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will culminate with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey.