Fans discover American cuisine
World Cup Fans Go Viral Trying American Food, Joking About 'FIFA 15' Weight Gain
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International soccer fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. are joking about gaining weight — and they've given it a name. They're calling it "The FIFA 15," a play on the "Freshman 15" cliche, after the estimated 15 pounds visitors say they're picking up from diving headfirst into American food culture NBC Chicago.
The trend exploded on social media as fans from Europe and beyond shared wide-eyed reviews of ranch dressing, Taco Bell, Waffle House, and Buc-ee's. German fan Freddy (@FreddyLA7) has become the face of the movement. He arrived in New York City on June 5 with 11,000 followers and now has over 640,000 — all from posting food reviews on a six-week American road trip NBC Washington.
Freddy, Ranch Dressing, and a Viral Wildfire
Freddy's journey from Tennessee to Texas quickly caught the internet's attention. He called Taco Bell "the holy land" and used the phrase "The European mind can't comprehend this" to describe everything from free soda refills to the size of an 88,000-seat college football stadium. His content struck a nerve. In two weeks, his follower count jumped nearly 5,700% NBC DFW.
Swedish influencer Elsa (@elsathora) added fuel to the fire. On June 8, she posted that ranch dressing is "like crack" and demanded, "EUROPE WE NEED RANCH ASAP." The post racked up over 9 million views NBC Boston. English fan Leah Ray also went viral for her stunned reactions to In-N-Out and Chipotle NBC Philadelphia.
J.J. Watt, Private Jets, and American Hospitality
Americans responded with an outpouring of generosity. When Freddy asked for Houston recommendations on June 9, NFL legend J.J. Watt offered to host him personally. By June 13, Watt had set Freddy up in a suite at the five-star Post Oak Hotel, stocked with American barbecue and classic snacks NBC Miami.
The offers kept coming. Derek Stevens, owner of Circa Las Vegas, offered to fly Freddy and his friends to Nevada on a private jet for a World Cup watch party. That video alone drew 1.5 million views NBC Bay Area. Analysts say the hospitality wave reflects a broader "culinary patriotism" — Americans thrilled to see everyday food treated as something exotic and exciting.
The TSA Joins In, Ranch Kits Hit the Market
Even the federal government got in on the joke. The TSA started posting "Days since last airport ranch incident: 0" on Instagram and Threads on June 10, reminding fans of the strict 3.4-ounce liquid carry-on limit NBC San Diego. Hidden Valley and Heinz joined in the comments. The agency's playful posts were praised as a masterclass in government social media.
Brands moved fast to cash in. Kraft launched "TSA-friendly" ranch travel kits by June 19 for fans wanting to bring a taste of America home NBC Chicago. The World Cup is expected to bring over 5 million visitors to host cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the food tourism buzz is already driving real dollars to both fast-food chains and local restaurants.
Americans Push Back With Hidden-Gem Recommendations
Not everyone is happy seeing visitors line up at Chipotle. Many Americans have used the viral moment to steer fans toward local spots. Suggestions flooding social media include Regina Pizzeria in Boston, The Serving Spoon's soul food near Los Angeles — a recent James Beard "America's Classics" winner — and Park Wood Deli in Midland Park, New Jersey, known for its "Bronx Bomber" sandwich NBC Connecticut.
LA Times culture critic Mary McNamara, who coined the term "The FIFA 15" on June 15, framed the whole trend as a gift. She wrote that it's a rare treat for Americans to see their "addictions" praised instead of shamed NBC Philadelphia. One caveat fans are hearing loudly: don't try to walk from the stadium to the hotel. This country was built for cars, not feet.
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