There’s no need to wait for the FIFA World Cup championship game on July 19; the United States of America is already the real winner, and it’s not even close.

As the 2026 host, visitors now understand why America’s people, culture, and economy make it the premier travel destination. The cartoonish “ugly American” stereotypes and tropes pushed by politicians and legacy media here and abroad have been tossed out the window of an F-150 truck and rendered roadkill.

Tourists from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have been given a taste of our wide-open spaces, freedoms, and cultural norms; our multicultural cuisine and fast food; and our air conditioning. In return, they have given us a fresh appreciation for what we have too often taken for granted.

The host cities and arenas, like Atlanta and Boston, have received financial boosts, but small-town America has received the biggest boon. When our guests rented SUVs and trucks to get from one host city to another, they discovered the heartland and found it heartwarming.

Some were fortunate to experience our America 250 Independence Day celebrations and learned about the depth and strength of our patriotism and love of country. One European tourist said, “It is crazy! The way you guys celebrate the 4th of July is insane. The patriotism is so insane good[…] You LOVE your country … People are genuinely happy, and you guys know how to celebrate this day so super well.”

This authentic image of America has spread globally thanks to tourists documenting their World Cup journeys online. TikTok, X, and Instagram have been filled with videos of Brits, Scots, Germans, Vikings, Argentinians, and many other foreigners singing America’s praises while having the time of their lives and bringing us along for the ride.

Both national and foreign media have had to catch up. Too often, they cover America in less-than-favorable ways, with manipulated crime reporting to achieve a certain outcome, manufactured racism, and any show of American pride being couched as arrogance.

An NBC News Boston correspondent interviewed German tourist Sebastian Krause at the Germany vs. Paraguay match. Krause was moved to tears when he talked about America. “I fall in love with this country, and this was so emotional, I even cried in the stadium.”

Krause had been fed warnings of a dangerous and unfriendly country. But he told the correspondent that everyone has treated him with “kindness and respect,” and he has not felt unsafe.

Multiply Krause’s experience by thousands of organic and viral expressions on how friendly, helpful, and hospitable Americans really are, and you have the start of a cultural transformation that cannot be produced through summits.

Tourists have also deemed our food and beverages to be brilliant. Free refills on water and coffee, Ranch dressing, Big Gulps, and a variety of snacks in different sizes that the European mind cannot comprehend. Capitalism, competition, and the freedom to innovate are the drivers behind this largesse.

The food that received the highest praise wasn’t from some Food & Wine-curated menu but from America’s stick-to-your-ribs and carb-laden staples: Waffle House, IHOP, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Whataburger, Sonic, and lots of fabulous Texas barbecue places.

We can’t forget the big box retailers such as Bass Pro Shop, Costco, Target, and Walmart, which have caused our foreign friends’ eyes to pop out from the variety of items available, not to mention the footprint of the stores.

While documenting his journey, British tourist Oliver Henry was so embraced by many Americans that they started a GoFundMe to help extend his trip to Dallas, Boston, and even New York. He appeared nationally on several U.S. media outlets and even visited the White House.

Henry said in a video that he now understands why, “America is the land of opportunity […] there is nowhere else in the world where this would be possible.”

Henry is correct. Our Founding Fathers believed that a new world was possible, built not on lineage or station in life, but on freedom and individual liberties. This embodies the American spirit: the power to chase your dreams and chart your trajectory. Whether those dreams are as big as a SpaceX or as small as a barbecue storefront, the pursuit of happiness does not happen without believing that you and God are in control of your destiny in a free society and free market system. That combination makes us unstoppable.

In their farewell videos, many of our friends say they will be back, and we will welcome them with open arms.

We cherish our country and the benefits of our free-market system. We’re happy to share these blessings with others. However, let’s avoid importing socialist policies that could undermine what makes America great.

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Jennifer Oliver O’Connell is a visiting fellow with Independent Women.

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Why America Keeps Winning Hearts And Minds During The World Cup