We aren’t even a week into the 2026 World Cup, and you can feel the momentum building. We have had a few surprising results with a Spain tie and others, but more of my attention has been caught by our international fans that have been planning this trip both for years or at the last moment depending on date of qualification.
Teresa and I were fortunate to go to Italy back in February so I could cover the Winter Olympics. I’ve told many people since then that was one of the few events that exceeded my expectations, especially when we arrived in the mountain village of Cortina. I’ve often said that four days may be the highlight of my career. I met two couples from the Czech Republic today that may have changed my mind on what that “highlight” means.
This Thursday at noon at Atlanta Stadium (for the World Cup we can’t mention it’s the Mercedes Benz Stadium as all decals are gone), Czechia takes on South Africa. Earlier today I met two couples from the Czech Republic working their way down from Charlotte to Atlanta for their countries next game.
Pavel and Eva plus Petr and Hana told me they have been amazed at how well they have been treated since flying over on Friday. While the mountains may not be as big, Hana said it reminds her of a bit of back home.
“The mountains aren’t as high, but all are so nice. We’ve had two people ask to take us to dinner or pay when only asking for a suggestion. People back home still tend to keep their head down when busy, but this is so friendly”.
I explained to them I was in Italy for the Olympics and my wife and I did not how much American patriotism we should pack in our suitcases because I had no idea how we would be received. Pavel said for them it makes no difference as they are here to support their country and want everyone to know.
“We had no clue what to expect because the media back home warned us to be careful. We’ve been here four days and worn our colors proudly and we’ve yet to have a negative experience. Petr even talked me in to stopping on the drive and getting American Bar-B-Q and I wasn’t so sure. The pork was good, but the chicken was fantastic. I’ve never heard of Collard Greens and never thought I might like them”.
Personally, I look forward to being back in Atlanta next week for more coverage, but when we were told this World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico would be a bust; it’s simply been far from that. There are memories made in the first week that most American sports fans can take for granted, like the chaos and fights in Times Square this past weekend that we saw after the New York Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years over San Antonio.
We are having these unruly “Teen Takeovers” all over this country with many kinds of ugliness involved. Boston just saw a takeover by the Scot’s. Scotland was playing in their first World Cup match in 28 years. There were more than 25,000 partying and celebrating in the bars and streets in kilts with several key places not having enough beer in stock. One bar manager said at the legendary Hennessy’s in downtown Boston, “we tripled what we do on St. Patrick’s Day”. Instead of riots, they sang. Then the fans waived flags and sang some more.
The Germans delivered arguably the most impressive display of the opening games with a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao in Houston. Sports brings out untouched emotions in most of us, and even the usually reserved German fans broke out in celebrations throughout the city singing… “Country Roads” by John Denver. That song seems to be picking up momentum as the first week of 26 days concludes.
Speaking of classic American songs that has taken on its very own role overseas, it turns out that “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond is a favorite of the English soccer fans. I may be at a loss on why an 85-year-old American singer from Brooklyn and one song means so much to the red and white of the proud English, but it does. Watching several thousand fans stand and perform at rodeo’s Stockyard Championships in Dallas ahead of their first match at Dallas Stadium (not AT&T Stadium) should be on everyone’s ironic sports reel.
International soccer fans have been amazed at the quality of the stadiums and I think to myself, “you’ve never seen a college football game in the South on a cool, fall Saturday night”. The US could host this tournament for a year and never run out of stadiums to do so.
I asked these two couples from Prague what their expectations ahead of their arrival in the US. Hana stepped up and stated, “excited, but not very much as we should have been. I thought everyone will be angry and unhappy because of politics. We thought we would keep quiet and enjoy the game in Atlanta before we go to Mexico City on Monday for 2 games. Since we landed in Charlotte on Saturday, wearing our colors, everyone has asked how they could help. We met you Mark, and you offered to pay for our pints. You are a friend now. This trip is awesome so far!”
As they made their way, we exchanged business cards and they know the site and I hope they win as impressively as the Americans did in their first game. The United States won a World Cup match 4-1. All the team needs is a tie in their final two games against Australia or Turkey to reach the “knockout stage”. That hasn’t happened much in my lifetime.
Put down your political kaleidoscope for a few weeks and watch what the rest of the world loves, and you may simply be amazed at its entertainment. There’s plenty of time to go back to complaints and rants!