The World Cup reminds us that the way to a visitor’s heart…is through their stomachExBulletin

The entrance to a Waffle House is seen on February 5, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images .

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The following was originally published in the Up First newsletter as part of NPR’s World Cup coverage, Soccer Edition. For more updates from Juliana throughout the games, subscribe to Up First or check out the new World Cup tab in the NPR app.

As we head into the second week of the World Cup, it’s not just the action inside the stadiums that will capture the attention of international visitors. Turns out they discover the delights of Buc-ee’s, Waffle House, Wawa and free soda refills.

The World Cup is being held in 11 cities across the United States, nearly half of which are in the South. More and more places are serving as training sites for players. The result: more international visitors are exploring new parts of the country beyond the usual hotspots.

Tatsuya Takeuchi, a Japanese sports journalist, has been to the United States before, but never to Nashville, where his national team trains. When he posted a photo of a plate of meat and three sides, he received a wave of responses welcoming him, sending him more food recommendations, and even offering to cook him a real Southern dinner.

“I’m grateful for every reaction,” he told NPR. “A lot of people told me to try the hot chicken, so I went for it straight away – and it was really delicious.”

Scottish tourist Shaun Alexander took a trip to Texas before arriving in Boston to watch his local team compete. For all the news regarding tensions between America and other countries, Alexander says the reception on the ground has been much gentler.

“It’s just remarkable the kind of warmth that we find and encounter in the United States,” he told NPR.

That’s the message he wants to send home (along with a suggestion to try barbecue ribs with vinegar sauce.)

Video Highlights

Journalists from NPR and its member stations are in your city to capture the excitement and ask the important questions. Catch up on the World Cup in 15 minutes or less.

Click to watch the latest Soccer Edition video clips on NPR.

Podcast Highlight

When the World Comes to Texas: Ep 4. Take It to the Streets

Football is about much more than elite athletes running on the field in front of millions of fans. There is also a strong and thriving street football culture which contributes to its immense popularity around the world.

Hugo Gonzalez is the founder and co-owner of Dallas Street Soccer, and he sat down with KERA to talk about how street soccer can bring people together across cultural and language barriers.

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What to watch this week

🧡 ICYMI: The Orange Army marched in Texas. A sea of ​​Dutch fans dressed in their country’s iconic colors turned out for the Netherlands’ first match against Japan on Sunday. KERA was there and experienced the new Texans as they accepted the Dutch fans with their offer of an open pregame celebration.

Scotland’s second game is scheduled for Friday at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Their opening World Cup match on Saturday attracted fans from around the world, some of whom were dressed in kilts and arrived by school bus. Scotland won this first match 1-0 against Haiti. Fans of both underdog teams reached the pinnacle by participating in the tournament for the first time in decades.

🎨 “Ice Out” protest art is popping up on the streets of Philadelphia, where city officials have passed bills restricting immigration enforcement and community advocates are pushing for protections for fans and tourists attending FIFA World Cup matches and festivities.

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