Do World Cup Tourists Love America More Than We Do?

Summary

---

The Isabel Brown Show: “Do World Cup Tourists Love America More Than We Do?”

Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Date: June 16, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and light-hearted episode, Isabel Brown explores an unexpected and heartwarming World Cup trend: international tourists, especially Europeans, discovering and publicly celebrating the joys of everyday American life while attending the 2026 World Cup. Through viral social media stories—especially that of a German tourist named Freddie—the episode examines what Americans can learn from seeing their country through the eyes of enthusiastic visitors, sparking a wider discussion about patriotism and cultural self-perception.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The World Cup Effect: Foreigners Rediscovering America

• [01:00] Isabel opens by noting a shift in social media content, as World Cup tourists experience and rave about American culture—contrasting with what she describes as a trend among young Americans to “crap all over our own country.”
• Memorable quote:

  "The greatest content I have ever seen on the Internet is everyone from other countries coming to the United States and realizing America is pretty freaking cool." — Isabel [01:00]

2. Freddie’s Viral Road Trip Through the American South

• [01:24–03:17] The central story is that of Freddie, a German soccer fan whose playful, faceless (using Cristiano Ronaldo edits) X account has chronicled his road trip through the American South. His amazement at American fast food, college athletics, and everyday generosity has gone viral.
  • Freddie’s Adventures:
    • First Taco Bell and Waffle House experiences—“great food, great prices, friendly staff. 10 out of 10 will be coming back.” [01:53]
    • Watching the NBA finals at Chili's:

      "He did in fact feel God in this Chili's tonight." — Isabel [03:17]

    • Amazement at abundant soda flavors and road trip stops like Buc-ee’s and Bass Pro Shops.
    • Positive take on American hospitality—getting a lift to the stadium from a hotel receptionist.

3. Amplifying Positivity—and the American Dream

• [04:40–07:19] Freddie’s upbeat perspective “has now made the rest of the country take stock in what makes our country so special to begin with.”
• Celebrity attention: Various American celebrities, like Ella Langley and JJ Watt, have embraced Freddie and his friends, offering concert invites, shoutouts, and VIP treatment.
• Anecdotes:
  • Offered jerseys and private stadium tours in Louisiana.
  • Hosted for barbeque by the Houston Police Department; received a handwritten welcome note from Houston's mayor.

4. The Joys of Road Tripping and Everyday America

• [07:19–09:45] Isabel rhapsodizes about the transformative power of exploring America by car, suggesting that “if you want to love America, you should drive across it.”
• Notable moments:
  • A homemade “Welcome Freddie” sign at the Louisiana border.
  • Staying in Houston with nightly gifts from the hotel—courtesy of JJ Watt.

5. Other Global Fans: Not Just Freddie

• [09:46–12:09] Other World Cup tourists, including Elsa from Sweden and Japanese fans, also go viral for their reactions to American life.
  • Elsa from Sweden: “Cheese in a can, question mark?” [11:30]
    Describes Golden Corral as "an out of body experience" and calls ranch dressing "like crack."
  • Japanese fans: After a match in Dallas, stayed behind to thoroughly clean the stadium—contrasted with more destructive fan celebrations elsewhere.
    • “Texas is good. Everything is big.” — Japanese fan [12:17]

6. American Stores Through Foreign Eyes

• [13:26–15:43] Bit by bit, tourists’ humorously awestruck reactions to uniquely American stores (The Container Store, Mattress Firm, Costco) remind listeners not to take U.S. abundance for granted.
  • Memorable quote:

    “The Container Store. It's just containers.” — British tourist [13:27]

7. Scottish Fans Electrify New England

• [16:25–19:51] Isabel gushes over Scottish fans bringing bagpipes, kilts, and John Denver singalongs to Boston and New York. The cultural exchange works both ways:
  • Scots marvel at American trucks and cement mixers (“Look at the size of that cement mixer” — Scottish tourist [17:03]).
  • She shares an anecdote about British astonishment at the size of an American SUV (“My God, this thing is massive.” [17:38])
  • Lively assimilation as they belt “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in Boston bars.

8. National Self-Perception vs. Tourist Enthusiasm

• [19:51–20:55] The episode closes with Isabel challenging the cynicism she perceives among young Americans, arguing that foreign tourists’ delight exposes the negativity American youth are taught about their country.
  • Memorable exchange:
    • Guest Commentator: “We all hate America.” [01:24; 20:48]
    • Isabel: "Do we though? Do we all hate America? Because I think most of this is actually self hatred as a result of disgusting political indoctrination..." [20:55]
  • Final rallying cry: More uplifting content like Freddie’s, and more “America hope corps” rather than “black pilling”.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [01:00] Isabel:

  “The greatest content I have ever seen [...] is everyone from other countries coming to the United States and realizing America is pretty freaking cool.”

• [03:17] Isabel:

  “He did in fact feel God in this Chili’s tonight.”

• [06:35] Co-Host 1:

  “He’s become an Ella fella. He’s become a huge fan of Ella Langley…check him out. He’s got some awesome posts up there.”

• [07:19] Isabel:

  "How cool is that? Like, is this not the epitome of the American dream that anyone from anywhere can make an impact and be noticed and have experiences beyond any of your wildest expectations?"

• [12:17] Japanese Fan:

  “Texas is good. Everything is big.”

• [13:27] British Tourist:

  “The Container Store. It’s just containers.”

• [17:03] Scottish Tourist:

  “Look at the size of this cement mixer. Check out the state of that.”

• [20:48] Guest Commentator:

  “We all hate America.”

• [20:55] Isabel:

  “Do we though? Do we all hate America? Because I think most of this is actually self hatred as a result of disgusting political indoctrination…”

---

Important Segments & Suggested Timestamps

• [01:00–03:17] — Introduction of viral foreign tourist content & Freddie’s journey
• [04:40–07:19] — Freddie catches celebrity attention; discussion of the American dream
• [07:19–09:45] — The joys of roadtripping; impact on national sentiment
• [09:46–12:09] — Broader coverage of tourists from Sweden, Japan
• [13:26–15:43] — Store reactions: The Container Store, Mattress Firm, Costco
• [16:25–19:51] — Cultural exchange with Scottish fans; John Denver singalongs
• [19:51–end] — Reflection on American self-image and generational attitudes; call for hope and positivity

---

Conclusion

Isabel uses viral World Cup tourist stories to challenge her audience: Are we underappreciating what makes America special? Visitors’ genuine wonder at ordinary U.S. experiences becomes a lens through which listeners are invited to rekindle their own sense of patriotism and optimism, pushing back against cultural cynicism and “self-hatred” she sees as rampant among young Americans.

Final call to action: Isabel urges listeners to suggest quintessentially American places for visiting Europeans, closing on a note of unity and joyful rediscovery.

---

Transcript

[Ad Host]

Still waiting in line.

[Co-Host 1]

Again,

[Ad Host]

that's time you will never get back. Save time and money with stamps.com over 4 million businesses have skipped the line with stamps.com join them to save up to 90% off carrier rates from your computer or phone right now. Print postage for certified mail, registered mail and packages in seconds. Then schedule a pickup right from your home or office for a limited time. Go to stamps.com and use code podcast for a free welcome gift. Taxes and fees apply.

[Co-Host 2]

The grill is shot, the chairs are held together by optimism and what happened to the rug? Sounds like your outdoor setup is not ready for patio season. Fix it all with Wayfair. Shop Wayfair for grills, rugs, furniture and more. With 20 million 5 star reviews, Room of choice delivery and expert setup on qualifying orders, it's never been easier to do more for less. Get 10% off your first eligible purchase. Hurry to Wayfair.com or download the app now. Wayfair Every Style, Every Home we are

[Main Narrator]

a week into the World cup happening on American soil and let me just say, the greatest content I have ever seen on the Internet is everyone from other countries coming to the United States and realizing America is pretty freaking cool. Especially now when it's like the cool vogue trendy thing among young people to just crap all over our own country and say how terrible America is.

[Guest Commentator]

I mean, we all hate America.

[Main Narrator]

Never knew what I needed as the anecdote to that was a bunch of Europeans flying to the United States to watch their favorite sport. We're calling it soccer now, by the way. Even the Pope tweeted out that it's called soccer. So America already won and unintentionally falling in love with the country even they were programmed to hate in the process. You've got the German guy Freddie blowing up all over X for taking a road trip through the American south and discovering fast food and college athletics for the first time. You've got the Scots blasting bagpipes and singing John Denver at the top of their lungs. In sports bars, you've got Swedes discovering ranch dressing is basically crack for the first time. And all of it is reinstilling my faith in the reality that the United States of America is indeed the greatest country to have ever existed in the history of the world. You're welcome, Earth. From what I can tell, all of this got started as a massive trend on social media because of one guy from Germany who flew over to watch the Germans play in the World Cup. Freddy who, who has created this faceless account. He's actually Pasting the face of Cristiano Ronaldo over himself so that people don't know what he looks like. And I actually like this even more because of that. It's just a random German guy and his friends taking a road trip throughout the American south to discover what's so special about the United States of America while cheering on their home country's tea. He posted Going to Taco Bell for the first time the Holy Land on June 8th. Had his first Waffle House experience at 1am he said great food, great prices, friendly staff. 10 out of 10 will be coming back. At this point. I actually think he's been to Waffle House more often than I've ever been to Waffle House, which is pretty incredible. And working their way through the chain of American culinary establishments, of course had to make a pit stop at Chili's to watch the NBA Finals. I want my baby back, baby back I want my baby back, baby back,

[Ad Host]

baby back I want my baby back, baby back.

[Main Narrator]

He did in fact feel God in this Chili's tonight. But the marvel at just the sheer abundance of American consumerism is hysterical to me. From the soda fountain machines with a million and different choices of flavored Sprite to thinking that this gas station on the side of the road in Alabama was somehow like the pillar of American culture. Which I guess it is. This gas station like what? Don't worry, he did make it to BUC EE's eventually. Or even just saying something as simple as I love Americans. We were about to walk an hour to the stadium in the rain to save money on an Uber and the receptionist at the hotel that we were parked in front of decided to drive us there. Freddie falling in love with American interactions, food establishments cult has now made the rest of the country take stock in what makes our country so special to begin with. As you guys may know, I married into a die hard Auburn family. My husband Brock grew up in Birmingham area in Alabama and his whole family like bleeds Auburn to the point that his mom's fiance actually gave me this sticker to put on one of my water bottles so that Libby even can be a die hard Auburn fan. And the first game that Freddie attended happened to be inside of the Auburn Stadium. Now I have only been to one Iron bowl, one Auburn football game in my tenure mar to an Auburn family, but it was quite an electric experience. This was the only SEC football game I've ever been to and now seeing a different type of football game played in the stadium, you can just feel the Americanism radiating through the screen. And in classic Auburn fashion, of course, they had to fly the eagle around the stadium. What could possibly be more American? And he simply tweets, there's an eagle flying around the stadium. Now up to 12 million views on X. But Freddie's journey has now caught the attention of people all over the Internet at every level and scale of American culture, including celebrities. And all of these posts are getting like 20, 30, 40, 50 million views on X. Sharing his road trip over itinerary out of Alabama, he's now visited several other states around the country, making pit stops at very important, world famous Buc EE's as well. Posted at 1:55am a few days ago Dude, LMAO. This is a gas station. Beyond Buc EE's Bass Pro Shops, outdoor world. Wildly important. Although I have to say, as a Coloradan, it just doesn't really count the same if it's not in the West. I'm sorry, don't come at me. I know, but Bass Pro hits different in the Rocky Mountains. Okay. He said we found another surreal place on our way. I know some people will say I'm too positive Positive about everything I see. No, you're not, Freddie. Please keep bringing the positivity. But this place was crazy. They have a shooting range in the store the European mind cannot comprehend. And even celebrities have started to take notice of Freddy's journey throughout the country as well, giving him the VIP treatment pretty much everywhere he goes. They fell in love along the way. Driving America's highways with Ella Langley. Looks like we have a new tribe of Ella's fellas here in America. And the local radio station gave them a shout out on the rad favorite song.

[Co-Host 1]

I don't know if he flew in. Where'd he fly into Florida? Driving to Houston, I believe, or something like that. He stared in Fairhope, Alabama last night. He's been at Bass Pro Shop today. He's been to, I believe, Bucky's, and he's documented all on Twitter. So if you go to Twitter or X, you look him up at Freddy LA7. So f r e d d y l a 7 Freddy LA7. But anyways, he's become an Ellis fella. He's become a huge fan of Ella Langley. And he shared on his X account last night two different occasions that he was listening to wxbm. Yeah, and Ella Langley was on. So thank you for listening, Freddie. Hopefully enjoy some Ella. Glad you discovered Ella and became an Ella fella, like all of us. And y' all check him out. He's got some awesome posts up there.

[Main Narrator]

How cool is that? Like, is this not the epitome of the American dream that anyone from anywhere can make an impact and be noticed and have experiences beyond any of your wildest expectations? Ella, by the way, has noticed herself at this point and invited Freddie and his friends to come to her concert in Oklahoma City. I'm sure we're gonna see a whole lot of behind the scenes backstage content from that crazy. But whether you're a famous country music singer or just a fan of Freddie's content, people all over America have fallen in love with this young man's road trip. Which begs the question, like you see on all of these viral posts lately, if you want to hate America, you should probably watch the news, but if you want to love America, you should drive across it. Do you have an American road trip planned for this summer? Because this has inspired me. This is amazing. As he crossed the border into Louisiana, he posted that someone had taken the time to drive to the welcome to Louisiana sign and put up a homemade sign underneath it that just said welcome Freddie. He got found on the Louisiana State University campus and got offered a private VIP tour of the soccer facility with free LS jerseys. That then escalated into a VIP private tour of the Saints stadium and the Pelicans facilities before heading over to Texas and arriving in Houston. Not exactly the metropolis that most Americans would point to as like the best example of an American city. I don't know if you've been to Houston lately, but not my favorite place to drive through. No offense. Posting Houston. Omg. And once in Houston, JJ Watt put them up at a fancy hotel and when they come back to their hotel in the evenings, they just have goodies and VIP swag galore waiting for them every night. This is also insane. We found this when we got back to our room and then someone even sent cupcakes to our room. I genuinely don't understand how it has gotten to this point. We are just normal World cup tourists. And isn't that exactly the point though? You can just be a normal tourist and come to the United States of America marveling at the things that are a cultural difference from how you grow up in a place like Germany and even get the attention of someone like J.J. watt or Ella Langley, who are so grateful for your optimism and your positivity because of how negative our media always is, and all of a sudden find yourself like the center of attention for an entire country on social media. That is the American spirit and the American dream. Freddie's experience is just now starting to cross into the world of politics and government. The Houston Police Department hosted him and his friends to eat real Texas barbecue and get to meet an American police department. And even the Mayor of Houston now has given him handwritten note saying hello Freddie, thank you so much for visiting Houston. Good luck signed by the Mayor. I think we should work on getting this man's to the White House, but we'll see. We'll see. And because we have all fallen in love with Freddie's content so much, this has now exploded a massive conversation on the Internet from tourists from other countries experiencing American culture for the first time too. And if you've ever felt recently anyway, pessimistic or angry or negative about the trajectory of our country, nothing will restore your faith more than just looking up World cup tourists in America. Elsa from Sweden is visiting for the World cup, posting her Walmart haul in the trunk of her rental car the other day. Finally made it to Walmart. Cheese in a can, question mark. And yes, that's an American flag, bikini and cowboy hat. For the 4th of July weekend, she visited fine American dining establishment. 12 out of 105 Michelin stars, the Golden Corral saying, I just had an out of body experience. And of course, why did no one tell me that ranch sauce is like crack Europe, we need ranch. The Japanese fan base for the World cup has traveled to Texas to watch their team play in Dallas this week and also is going viral for doing what the Japanese do best, hospitality. Not even in their own home or their own country. After the match ended in a tie the other day, the Japanese fans stayed in the stadium in Dallas to clean up the stadium while Knicks fans were like lighting police cars and school buses on fire celebrating their victory. A tie for Japan literally means let's stay and clean up this disgusting stadium so that the employees don't have to do it at att. This makes me want to go to Japan so bad. And it's not even just the fans. The Japanese people players made the World Cup Twitter account because they left their dressing room spotless after their match against the Netherlands. What is life? This is so wholesome. They're loving Texas, by the way, when asked what Texas was like, here's what they had to say. Where are you guys from?

[Co-Host 1]

Where's everyone from?

[Main Narrator]

Japan of America?

[Co-Host 1]

Texas.

[Main Narrator]

Texas is good. Everything is big. Texas is good. Everything is big.

[Co-Host 2]

Literally.

[Main Narrator]

Was it not a few weeks ago that we just did a whole episode of the show about how Japanese Twitter is like obsessed with America, but specifically American country, Western southern culture. There's like cowboy giddyup. Bars in Japan dedicated to this, so the vibes must be insane right now. Nothing, by the way, exemplifies that more than this Japanese tourist who came to Dallas for the World cup riding his very first ever mechanical bull. This screams America. Like, nothing could be more American than this. Oh my gosh. I even spotted a clip posted to TikTok of a parking lot that used to be right around the corner from where I lived in Phoenix with a bunch of stores with Brits marveling at the store options for Americans.

[Guest 2]

The Container Store.

[Main Narrator]

It's just containers.

[Guest 2]

Just containers? What to contain stuff?

[Guest Commentator]

Yeah.

[Main Narrator]

Yes.

[Guest 2]

We haven't got one of those in England. No, we haven't a Container Store. But what if you want a soft mattress or a medium mattress? I'm not sure.

[Main Narrator]

Only firm. What about that one?

[Guest 2]

Patio. Patio furniture. Do you think they sell patio furniture?

[Main Narrator]

I have a new appreciation for the Container Store. That's saying something. As a mom who's already obsessed with the Container Store, I haven't been in way too long weekend plans. And on the note of mattress firm, I'm still not entirely convinced that these aren't money laundering schemes, frankly. Like, who actually mattress at a mattress store? Not me, I'll tell you that much. I used to just order one from Amazon thinking, oh yeah, I'm gonna save some money. And it was not a good decision. Do not do what I did, okay? But about a year ago, my family and I made the switch to a Helix mattress and I will never look back. I know it's a big investment, but the best sleep you can possibly have every night is the best investment you could give yourself as let's face it, we're all getting a little older and pushing 30 instead of 21. As a mom especially, I run super hot at night. If you know, you know. And now I don't have to worry about that thanks to their cooling technology and I've even my daughter to a Helix mattress since we moved her out of her crib onto a floor bed. Our baby hated the crib. Send sleep Advice frankly, helix actually has 20 different options that you can pick from and you take a very easy sleep quiz on their website. In just a few seconds they can match you with the choice that fits you the best. They will ship it free straight to your door and they offer a 120 night sleep trial so that you can make sure that it's the right fit for you. Right now if you go to helixsleep.com Isabelle you can get 20% off site wide. 25% off of their Luxe mattresses and 30% off of their Elite mattresses. That's helixsleep.com Isabel of course, nothing could be more of an American experience than visiting Costco for the first time. I already call Costco capitalist heaven. Like it actually feels like you've had an out of body heavenly experience when you go in there. And I thought they had Costco abroad. I've seen Costco in Japan, but I don't think they have Costco everywhere. I've also seen Costco in France, but I guess it's not all over Europe yet. Anyway, okay. Producer Jess says the UK has 29 Costco's. Did not realize that. I've been to the UK many times. I've never noticed that UK, Spain, France, Iceland has a Costco. Wow. Well, I'm guessing this person may be in town from the Netherlands. I don't know. But watch this.

[World Cup Tourist]

This is probably the best store I ever been to.

[Ad Host]

Look at these.

[Co-Host 1]

These are nice.

[World Cup Tourist]

Do you like good price?

[Guest 2]

This is like Boston breakfast.

[World Cup Tourist]

They got Baltim breakfast red, this spicy

[Co-Host 1]

mango

[Main Narrator]

like Asian cake bites. Oh, the free samples. Yes.

[World Cup Tourist]

A whole sh for five bucks.

[Main Narrator]

The things you take for granted. But this is probably the best store he's ever been to. But let me say this. Nothing remotely comes close to the elite vibes that the Scots have brought from Scotland to New England to watch Scotland play in Boston. I love Scotland. I have a huge affinity for Scotland. You guys know I go like once a year because I have some extended family that's part time living there now. And it's hilarious to me that I go to Scotland for the architecture, for the history, for the vibes, for the people. The people are the best. And they are saying all of the same things about Bach Boston, which really makes you appreciate that the grass is always greener on the other side.

[World Cup Tourist]

So I've arrived in New York. As we make our way up towards Boston for Scotland's first game. Look at the size of this cement mixer. Check out the state of that. But bad news, folks. United Airlines lost my luggage. Luckily, I kept the important stuff like my Scotland shirts and my kilt in my hand luggage because I knew this could happen, right, if you had to make an emergency pit stop over at the gas station across the street, Toothbrushes and deodorant, all that kind of stuff. Next thing, if you've not arrived in America yet for the World cup, let me tell you, it is absolutely scorching.

[Main Narrator]

Look at the size of that cement mixer. It's just a normal cement mixer in America. Fun story for you. Actually, in high school we used to have to drive like 30 minutes away down the hill. We lived up the mountain. We had to drive down the mountain into Denver for our high school. And we had a big carpool in our town because not all of us could drive yet. You start high school before you can drive. And we had a family friend that moved here from the United Kingdom. They actually had two kids, but one was about my age, their son. And we were in the carpool together. And the very first time they ever came to our carpool, we drove a Yukon xl. My mom was never a minivan mom, she was always a Suburban or Yukon mom. And their dad dropped off his son to join the carpool. And he's from the UK and he works in cars. They own car dealerships in the uk. And he opens the door to the car and he pokes his head in and he goes, my God, this thing is massive. American exceptionalism, baby. What can I say? The sky have transformed the vibes of New England. Waking up at 6:30 in the morning at their Airbnbs in their kilts to play bagpipes outside on the front lawn Elite. I wish I lived across the street from this. So bad. No notes. Perfect. No notes. Going to as many outdoor eating opportunities as humanly possible. What movie is that? That's not a skirt, it's a kilt. Oh, it's the Grinch, isn't it? Sicko. It's not a dress, it's a kilt.

[Guest Commentator]

Sicko.

[Main Narrator]

And of course, embracing some American culture and assimilating a whole lot faster than the Somalians in Minneapolis ever have after being here for a decade of their lives belting the unofficial national anthem for the United States, John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads, West virginia. If that doesn't make you feel like an eagle is flying out of your chest, I don't know what's wrong with you actually. But to sum it all up perfectly is this video Posted by Americans 20 hours ago about how young Americans are encouraged to feel about our own country. What do you think about people who

[Co-Host 2]

are not American but also hate America?

[Guest Commentator]

That's valid. I mean, we all hate America. America does stuff to other countries all the time. I mean, if Americans hate America, I don't see why other people can't hate America.

[Main Narrator]

Do we though? Do we all hate America? Because I think most of this is actually self hatred as a result of disgusting political indoctrination fueled through every pillar of culture. Imaginable to young Americans to convince you to hate your own society. From school, from the media, from entertainment, from flawed history textbooks. And nothing could be a more powerful example of that than every European coming here for the World cup realizing they were lied to about America. And it's actually pretty fricking great. I don't know, maybe it's me. Hot take. Deport every one of those people for a Scotsman in a kilt screaming John Denver. I will make that trade deal every day over more of this content on the Internet, please. In the era of black pilling, I need more America hope corps. More A250 experienced by foreigners corps. Seen them do Taco Bell, Cane's, Chick Fil, A, Buc Ees, Costco, Bass Pro shops. Where should the European tourists go if they haven't already been to experience the real America? Drop it in the comments.