‘Gutfeld!’: World Cup tourists discover American culture and fall in love
Pakinomist host Greg Gutfeld and ‘Gutfeld!’ panel explore why World Cup fans from Europe and Asia are discovering and appreciating American culture, especially its comfort-food classics and chain restaurants. They highlight tourists’ surprise at large portion sizes and variety at 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 American casual dining.
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Many foreigners visit the United States for the first time to watch their team play at the World Cup, and most fall in love with America.
However, no one is falling head over heels for the stars and stripes more than Freddy, who has been live-tweeting his adventure experience in the US since landing.
So who is he?
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Germany’s 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 stint 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 to his first experience with the United States.
He landed in New York and then flew to Atlanta, where his journey began. Each and every one of his posts is accompanied by a picture.
Freddy said the World Cup atmosphere was palpable, despite the first match in Atlanta being nine days away at the time of the post. While sightseeing, he was surprised 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, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and a trip to the top of Stone Mountain, Freddy told his rapidly growing fan base that he was going to North Georgia.
On the trip, he wrote about his immense excitement at stopping at a Walmart, his awe at the houses as he “passed through a town called Gainesville,” and then his first-ever Waffle House experience of late.
“Just had our first Waffle House experience at 1am Great food, great prices and friendly staff 10/10 we’ll be back,” wrote Freddy.
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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 slide in Helen and his tubing experience down the Chattahoochee River. Unfortunately he was not given a locker and his shoes were soaked.
After this time spent outdoors, Freddy enjoyed another American staple: Wendy’s.
He posted a photo of his order and then expressed his confusion over the modern soda fountain.
After his second trip to a fast food business, he went back to Georgia to discover more of its beauty. He posted a video atop Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s tallest mountain. Unfortunately for Freddy, it rained and because his shoes were soaked with snakes, he was stuck wearing socks and slides in a rainstorm on top of the mountain.
Freddy then left 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 the Germany 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 the way to Auburn’s stadium for the friendly match 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 wrote 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 cannot understand this’ moment of my life.’ A friend of mine said, ‘Hit me five times tomorrow and I’ll still think this isn’t real’.”
Freddy was on the floor when “Swag Surfin'” blasted through the speakers.
The German was even more surprised by the discovery of Buc-ee’s and the great size of it, and loved the dinner he and his friends had there at
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After driving through the night in Alabama, Freddy entered Florida, the fourth state of the tour. The heat hit the German like a ton of bricks, “It’s so hot we need to go to the beach right away!!!” He wrote in all letters.
In Florida, he discovered a restaurant that shared his name, “Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.”
On the road trip, Freddy revealed that he discovered country music star Ella Langley on the radio. He called Langley “the soundtrack of our trip.”
Freddy then reached the beach and spent the night in Fairhope, Alabama, where he marveled at the beauty of the place.
The football 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 sold rifles in there.”
Then he took part in the opening game of the World Cup at Buffalo Wild Wings.
During their trip through Louisiana, Freddy discovered how viral he had become when the radio station he was listening to referenced his post and played them a Langley song.
They didn’t stop often through Louisiana, but made it to New Orleans, where they again enjoyed the Waffle House.
In New Orleans, they were given a tour of the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints facilities and posed for a photo with Tyler Shough.
“It was not what we expected to happen when we boarded the plane to the United States last week.”
In the swamps of Louisiana they discovered an alligator. However, the big news came a day later: They are going to meet Langley himself at a concert this coming Thursday.
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Still in Louisiana, they got a first-hand 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 photo of a “Welcome to Louisiana” sign with a welcome message addressed to him.
They finally made it to Texas, fittingly playing Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” on their way into the Lone Star State.
The surprises for Freddy and his friends weren’t over yet, though. Houston Texans legend JJ Watt got them a hotel room and left plenty of gifts for the German.
After living in luxury thanks to Watt, they got to see Germany play and win. Germany dominated Curacao 7-1 and Freddy was impressed by another American stadium.
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The impromptu trips didn’t end with college campuses and professional sports franchises. They met with the Houston Police Department and had “typical Texas BBQ together.”
In Houston, Freddy and his friends unlocked a new sport when they attended their first baseball game on Monday night between the Houston Astros and the Detroit Tigers. The adventure of a trip continued when they met Houston’s mayor at the game, who gave them a note.
Freddy’s journey isn’t over, but the love he’s received here in America has only just begun.
