World Cup fans in the US, Mexico and Canada soften concerns with a lively summer

A fan’s account in The Guardian Football offers an upbeat view of the World Cup atmosphere across the United States, Mexico and Canada, describing the tournament as a surprisingly joyful summer for host cities. The piece captures how visiting supporters helped turn stadium visits and surrounding streets into lively public events, even for people who do not usually follow the sport closely. According to the account, Boston felt especially energized as it prepared to host its first match. The arrival of large numbers of Scottish fans for a game against Haiti brought color and noise to the city, with kilts, bagpipes and street music adding to the sense of occasion. The writer says that seeing supporters from many countries in team colors made the tournament feel like a major shared moment rather than just a series of matches. That wider atmosphere appears to have mattered as much as the football itself. The fan account says friends and colleagues who were not regular soccer followers were drawn in by the novelty and buzz of the event. That kind of crossover interest is one of the clearest signs that a World Cup is landing beyond its core audience: it becomes a citywide festival, not just a sporting contest. At the same time, the piece does not ignore the downsides. Ticket prices are described as extremely expensive, reinforcing a criticism that has followed major tournaments for years. For many supporters, the cost of attending remains a barrier, even when the event itself delivers a memorable experience. Commercial pressure and premium pricing can sit awkwardly beside the idea of a public celebration built around international football. The account also touches on the political mood in the United States, saying visiting fans praised American hospitality while also voicing concern about the country’s political situation. The writer notes that many visitors seemed able to separate the administration from ordinary residents, which suggests that the human interaction around the tournament may have softened some of the harder edges of national politics, at least in the moment. That distinction matters for a tournament spread across three countries. The 2026 World Cup is being framed not only as a sporting showcase but also as a test of how host nations present themselves to the world. Fan experiences, public transport, pricing, safety and atmosphere will all shape the legacy long after the final whistle. A lively and welcoming streetscape can do a great deal to define that legacy, especially if it leaves casual observers with a positive memory of the host cities. Still, the broader picture remains mixed. The Guardian’s fan perspective suggests that the World Cup has been able to generate warmth, excitement and a sense of shared celebration despite the commercial and political concerns surrounding it. What remains unclear is whether that mood will hold as more matches are played and as the practical pressures of hosting continue to build. For now, the takeaway from this account is straightforward: the football has been only part of the story. In at least some cities, the fans themselves have become the event, turning streets, bars and stadium approaches into spaces of music, conversation and national color. That may be the most durable success of the tournament so far.

Source: The Guardian Football - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/23/surprising-success-us-mexico-canada-fans-hosting-world-cup-joy-love-hope-fun-prices-politics