Whether you’re a die-hard soccer fan or couldn’t tell a corner kick from a corner store, it’s been hard to miss the FIFA World Cup. Millions of people around the world have been tuning in, and many of the matches have been played right here in the United States.
In today’s newsletter, Gail Marsh shares a wonderful perspective on something happening off the field. Her article highlights the many international visitors who came for the World Cup and left with a newfound appreciation for America, thanks to the kindness, hospitality, incredible scenery, and memorable experiences they found while traveling around the country. It’s a feel-good read that’s well worth your time.
The tournament has also put a spotlight on many American cities, attractions, restaurants, and scenic destinations. It’s been fun seeing visitors experience things that many of us take for granted every day.
Even if soccer isn’t your sport, the World Cup has been a reminder of how travel has a way of bringing people together.
So we’re curious… Have you been watching the World Cup games? Just one of them? A few? All of them? Or none at all?
After you vote, we’d love to hear more in the comments. Have you been following every match, watching only when Team USA plays, catching a game here and there, or haven’t watched at all?
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RVT1269
I find soccer, or football as it is called in most other countries to be a bore. The matches/games frequently have little scoring (some hour long games end with a score of 1-0). The excitement of a long TD pass, a pick six, or a long run as happens in an American football came just does not exist, and the speed of someone on foot does not produce the excitement of someone on ice skates (hockey) or someone racing down a mountain on skis, etc. This of course is my opinion of soccer and I do realize that many other people love the game.
Occaisionally, as it appears in a resturant where I happen to be eating.
i do not follow any sports at all.
I’m not a big sports fan but I had the opportunity to see a World Cup game in person in 2006 and the experience was enthralling. Watching any sports game in a stadium is better than watching it on TV, but I was not prepared for the electrifying energy in the stadium for a World Cup game. The fever is real and contagious in Europe. It is still one of my favorite memories.
Prior to the World Cup I did not watch sports. I have find European football exciting to watch because of its continuous activity. Few time outs, no huddles, no inning changes, just ongoing play. Much better than American football: huddle, run a short play, fall down do it again. And I appreciate the clean cut wellmannered players.
I have no interest in watching televised sports but I very much enjoy seeing visitor’s impressions of our country.
The what games?
Glad this is about over. Americans can then stop pretending to like soccer.
Only plus side is foreign visitors got to actually see real America, instead of the negative- biased view they are fed in their home nations. Perhaps they will now insist upon needed changes and reforms in their own countries?
As crowded as our National Parks are with foreign visitors, there are times I wish they actually were boycotting US. (If I sound grouchy, I just haven’t had enough coffee, LOL).
Well at least we are finally charging foreigners more, so the added revenue is some compensation.
If you traveled to foreign countries, you would be surprised at how much they know about the US. To actually come here and experience Buccees and gigantic food items at Costco is something else entirely. No one is prepared for that. I remember my first time.
Please tell us about all the problems with portion sizes in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, England, Scotland, etc.
I support charging foreign Nat Park visitors more. They charge us more in their tourist areas.
Sports are not sporting, a bunch of over hyped over paid people that don’t need our encouragement and money. If sports were banned we would cheer.
I didn’t grow up with conventional sports. Instead I’m a car guy and enjoy American car racing. I mostly DVR races and zip through them. While raising one grandson who played all sports, I found basketball the best to watch. Lots of action and over quick.
I watched the last 15 mins or so of one of the US games. It was painful. I’ve never seen so many fake flops, falls, anything to try and get a penalty. Thought most wouldn’t survive a girls powder puff football game 🤷🏼♂️ but is fun to watch the hype from fans visiting. They’re into it all for sure
I watched most of the games & was fascinated by the camaraderie amongst the players. Seeing them all sing their national anthems & often helping an opposing player get back up after having been tripped & falling to the ground. Seeing the fans from around the world having a great time was impressive. Soccer is different from our football but one needs to remember that this is the most popular sport in the world.
No, I haven’t watched the games, because I don’t watch anything (on TV or online). But I sure enjoyed short videos of the victory song after the U.S. won, and especially in Seattle.😀 –Diana aka Mountain Mama at RVtravel.com (Thank you, John Denver!)
We’re in Kansas City. Local media claims it’s been a huge success for the area… Who knows? Their agenda. Will we ever know the truth? We’ve been inundated with it for what seems like years. SICK OF IT!
What’s the agenda (besides millions of dollars)? What’s the truth? It’s totally alien controlled.
It’ a great way to learn about the world if you are interested. If not, enjoy your ignorance. I worked with a lot of people from around the world and it was the one thing you could talk about which they found very welcoming. It will never be as important in America because it is not in our social DNA as we have many more interesting options to do with our time. The World Cup is what determines the second best country in the world. C’mon England.
I’ve tried watching soccer but I lose all interest when watching a guy who got lightly brushed starts writhing on the ground as if he got two limbs amputated to draw a foul. Then he gets up and plays as if the “near death experience” never happened.
Maybe others enjoy watching adults throw tantrums, clasp their face to further pronounce their sensationalization but it’s not for me. Total disconnect.
I think if a player dives or embellishes contact, they should be kicked from the game but that’s just me…
There is a foul for that, but not called enough. I like that game, but I hate the flopping.
I was at a family gathering yesterday and a game between England & Norway was on. They played for nearly an hour before one side scored. YAAAAAAAWWWWWWNNNN. I acknowledge the athleticism of the players but the game itself is a real snoozer.
Tour de France 🚴♂️👍‼️
Stay safe and pedal, Joe
I have watched many of the games. This has been an exceptional tournament with the little countries putting up some amazing challenges to the powerful nations. The final four are the best teams. Soccer isn’t American football. People say it’s boring, but at least the ball is in play for 90 minutes, more or less. American football has less than 20 minutes of action and tons of commercials and garbage in between which is great for short attention span minds. Soccer is really more like basketball without all the buckets. Americans hate the flopping in basketball and it is really bad in soccer, but the refs are getting way less tolerant of the fakery. These last few games are going to be fantastic.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel. No, no interest in the game at all. Have relatives who played it in high school or college. I am sure that they probably have watched. I haven’t seen a second of a game. Don’t anticipate that changing, regardless of the profile of the game. Have a great week and safe travels!