‘Gutfeld!’: World Cup tourists discover American culture and fall in love
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld and the ‘Gutfeld!’ panel explore why World Cup fans from Europe and Asia are discovering and appreciating American culture, particularly its comfort food classics and chain restaurants. They highlight tourists’ surprise at large portion sizes and variety in places like Waffle House and Buc-ee’s. Panelists debate whether this appreciation is genuine or a subtle critique of American dining, emphasizing the unique appeal of U.S. casual eateries.
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Many foreigners are visiting the United States for the first time to watch their team play in the World Cup, and most are falling in love with America.
However, no one may be falling head over heels for the stars and stripes more than Freddy, who has been live-tweeting his fairy-tale experience in the United States since he landed.
So, who is he?
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Germany players celebrate after their match in Houston, Texas, on June 14, 2026. (Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images)
Freddy, whose X account profile picture is Cristiano Ronaldo and who has a German flag next to his name, flew in from Germany. He had a layover in Dublin, Ireland, before diving headfirst into American culture with his two friends.
In all the photos he has posted of himself, he has covered his face, giving people a front-row seat into his first experience with the United States.
He landed in New York, and then flew to Atlanta, where his journey began. Every single one of his posts is accompanied by a picture.
Freddy said the World Cup atmosphere was palpable, despite the first game in Atlanta being nine days away at the time of the post. While doing sightseeing, he was taken aback by how “green” Atlanta looked and said he felt like he was in a forest.
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Germany fans watch from the stands in Houston, Texas, on June 14, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
He then documented his first experience with American cuisine: Taco Bell. He called the fast-food chain “the holy land.”
After taking in some “Stranger Things” filming locations, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and a trip to the top of Stone Mountain, Freddy let his quickly growing fan base know that he was going to North Georgia.
On the trip he posted about his immense excitement at stopping in a Walmart, his awe at the houses when he was “passing through a town called Gainesville,” and then his first-ever late-night Waffle House experience.
“Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1 a.m. Great food, great prices, and friendly staff 10/10, we will be coming back,” Freddy posted.
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Germany fans watch from the stands in Houston, Texas, on June 14, 2026. (Maria Lysaker/Imagn Images)
After a transformative Waffle House experience, Freddy shared his experience on an alpine roller coaster in Helen, and his tubing experience down the Chattahoochee River. He regrettably did not get a locker, and his shoes were soaked.
After this time spent outdoors, Freddy enjoyed another American staple: Wendy’s.
He posted a picture of his order and then expressed his confusion about the modern soda fountain.
After his second trip to a fast-food establishment, he went back into Georgia to discover more of its beauty. He posted a video atop of Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak. Unfortunately for Freddy, it rained, and because his shoes were soaked from tubing, he was stuck wearing socks and slides in a rainstorm atop the mountain.
Freddy then departed Georgia and spent time in Tennessee. He went to a Chili’s in Chattanooga for the night and watched the NBA Finals. He saw the Spanish national team’s hotel, but the team was out of town.
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After Tennessee, Freddy embarked on a road trip to Houston for Germany’s game. He let the world know he made it to Alabama by posting a photo of a replica World Cup trophy on the road in front of the state line.
On his way to Auburn’s stadium for the friendly between Iceland vs. Argentina, he showered praise on a Good Samaritan.
“I love Americans. We were about to walk an hour to the stadium in the rain to save on an Uber, and the receptionist at the hotel we were parked in front of decided to drive us there,” Freddy posted with a prayer emoji.
He called Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn the “craziest stadium I’ve ever been to.”
“This is the most ‘The European mind can’t comprehend this’ moment of my life.’ One of my friends said, ‘Punch me five times tomorrow and I’ll still think this isn’t real.’”
Freddy was floored when “Swag Surfin’” blared through the speakers.
The German was even more taken aback at the discovery of Buc-ee’s and the sheer size of it, and loved the dinner he and his friends got from there at 1 a.m.
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After driving through the night at Alabama, Freddy entered Florida, the fourth state of the trip. The heat hit the German like a ton of bricks, “It’s so hot we need to get to the beach immediately!!!” He posted in all caps.
In Florida, he discovered a restaurant that shared his name, “Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.”
On the road trip, Freddy revealed he discovered country music star Ella Langley on the radio. He called Langley the “soundtrack of our trip.”
Freddy then made it to the beach, and stayed the night in Fairhope, Alabama, where he marveled at the place’s beauty.
The soccer fan then discovered another American specialty, Bass Pro Shops.
“We found another surreal place on our way. I know some people will say I’m too positive about everything I see, but this place was crazy. They had a shooting range in the store.”
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“They were selling rifles in there.”
He then took in the opening match of the World Cup at Buffalo Wild Wings.
During their trip through Louisiana, Freddy discovered just how viral he had gone when the radio station he was listening to referenced his posts and played a Langley song for them.
They didn’t stop often through Louisiana, but did make it to New Orleans, where they once again enjoyed Waffle House.
In New Orleans, they were given a tour of the New Orleans Pelicans’ and New Orleans Saints’ facilities, and they posted a picture with Tyler Shough.
“This is not what we expected to happen when we boarded the plane to the USA last week.”
In the swamps of Louisiana, they discovered an alligator. However, the big news came a day later: They are going to get to meet Langley herself at a concert this upcoming Thursday.
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Still in Louisiana, they got a firsthand experience of Bourbon Street. Their tours didn’t end with the Saints and Pelicans, as they also got to see LSU’s facilities and Tiger Stadium.
Freddy’s life-changing crash course in America continued with a stop at Raising Cane’s. He posted a picture of a “Welcome to Louisiana” sign, with a welcome note directed to him.
They finally made it to Texas, where they appropriately played Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” on their way into the Lone Star State.
However, the surprises for Freddy and his friends were not done yet. Houston Texans legend J.J. Watt got them a hotel room, and left plenty of gifts for the German.
After staying in luxury courtesy of Watt, they got to see Germany play and win. Germany dominated Curacao 7-1, and Freddy was impressed with another American stadium.
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The impromptu tours did not end with college campuses and professional sports franchises. They met with the Houston Police Department and ate “typical Texan BBQ together.”
In Houston, Freddy and his friends unlocked a new sport when they attended their first baseball game Monday night between the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers. The fairy tale of a trip continued when they met the mayor of Houston at the game, who gave them a note.
Freddy’s trip isn’t over, but the love he has received here in America has only just begun.
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