World Cup Fans Discover the Joy of American Food

Beginner | July 1, 2026

✨ Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.

A Tasty Surprise for Visiting Fans

Many international soccer fans are visiting the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and some of them are discovering something new: American food. According to a Yahoo Travel story syndicated from HITC, one Brazilian supporter gave a simple but honest opinion after trying food in the U.S. He said American food tasted good, but it also had a lot of calories.

Why American Food World Cup Fans Are Talking

The American food World Cup fans are trying has become more than just a funny travel moment. Food is part of culture. When fans travel for a major event, they do not only watch games. They also try local restaurants, snacks, drinks, and traditions. The Yardbarker version of the HITC article reported that many traveling supporters have been getting into American culture through food.

Tasty, But Maybe Not Light

The Brazilian fan’s comment was friendly but honest. In an interview shared through CBS on Instagram and reported by HITC/Yardbarker, he said that American food was “very tasty,” but also high in calories. That is a useful beginner English word: calories are units of energy in food. Many visitors may enjoy American meals, but they may also notice that portions are larger than they expected.

BBQ, Ranch, and Fast Food Favorites

Other visitors have also shared positive reactions. The same HITC/Yardbarker report mentioned that an English fan loved American barbecue and said it was the best beef he had ever tasted. It also said some tourists were getting “hooked” on ranch dressing, which means they liked it so much that they wanted more. The article even noted that the TSA reminded travelers that ranch dressing should go in checked bags when flying.

Visitors Try Regional American Classics

A separate EatingWell report gave more examples of visitors enjoying American food during the World Cup. A Scottish vlogger tried a sausage-and-peppers roll outside Fenway Park in Boston and rated it 8.5 out of 10. EatingWell also reported that he tried cream soda and a Sonic corn dog. In Texas, Japanese fans enjoyed smoked brisket before Japan’s match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. British visitors also praised Raising Cane’s chicken and sauce.

Food Adds to the World Cup Experience

The World Cup is bringing huge crowds to the United States. Reuters reported that through 44 matches, attendance had topped 2.85 million, with stadiums about 99.6% full on average. That means millions of people are not just watching soccer. They are also eating, shopping, traveling, and talking about their experiences. For many visitors, American food may become one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Vocabulary

Supporter (noun) – a fan who cheers for a team.
Example: “A Brazilian supporter shared his opinion about American food.”
Verdict (noun) – a final opinion or decision.
Example: “His verdict was that the food tasted good but had many calories.”
Calories (noun) – units of energy in food.
Example: “Some American meals have a lot of calories.”
Portion (noun) – the amount of food served to one person.
Example: “The portion was bigger than he expected.”
Barbecue (noun) – food, especially meat, cooked slowly with smoke or sauce.
Example: “Many visitors enjoyed American barbecue.”
Dressing (noun) – a sauce usually used on salad or as a dip.
Example: “Some tourists liked ranch dressing.”
Checked bag (noun) – luggage that goes under the plane, not in the cabin.
Example: “The TSA said ranch dressing should go in a checked bag.”
Regional (adjective) – connected to a particular area or place.
Example: “Texas brisket is a regional American food.”
Memorable (adjective) – easy to remember because it is special.
Example: “The food became a memorable part of the trip.”
Experience (noun) – something that happens to you and affects how you feel.
Example: “Trying local food is part of the travel experience.”

Discussion Questions — About the Article

What did the Brazilian fan say about American food?
Why did some visitors talk about calories?
What American food did an English fan enjoy?
What did some tourists think about ranch dressing?
What foods did EatingWell mention in its report?

Discussion Questions — About the Topic

What food from your country do visitors usually enjoy?
Do you think food is an important part of travel? Why or why not?
What American food would you like to try?
Are large food portions good, bad, or both?
How can food help people understand another culture?

Related Idiom

“Get a taste of something” – to experience a small part of something new.

Example: “World Cup visitors are getting a taste of American culture by trying barbecue, ranch dressing, and other local foods.”

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This article was inspired by: Yahoo Travel / HITC, Yardbarker’s syndicated HITC version, EatingWell, and Reuters.