The World Cup reminds us that the way to a visitor's heart ... is through their stomach

The entrance to a Waffle House is seen on February 05, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

The following was originally published in the Up First newsletter as part of the NPR Network's coverage of the World Cup, Soccer Edition. For more updates from Juliana throughout the games, subscribe to Up First , or check out the new World Cup tab in the NPR app.

As we head into week two of the World Cup, the action inside the stadiums isn't the only thing capturing the attention of international visitors. Turns out, they're discovering the delights of Buc-ee's, Waffle House, Wawa and free soda refills.

The World Cup is taking place across 11 cities in the U.S. — nearly half are in the South. Even more places are serving as training sites for the players. The result: More international visitors are exploring new parts of the country beyond the usual hotspots.

Tatsuya Takeuchi, a sports journalist from Japan, has been to the U.S. before, but never to Nashville where his national team is training . When he posted a photo of a meat and three-side combo plate, he received a flurry of replies welcoming him, sending more food recs, and even offering to cook him a proper Southern supper.

"I'm grateful for every single reaction," he told NPR. "A lot of people told me to go try hot chicken, so I went right away — and it was really delicious."

Scottish tourist Shaun Alexander took a trip to Texas before arriving in Boston to watch his home team compete . For all of the news about America's tensions with other countries, Alexander says the reception on the ground has been much sweeter.

" It's just remarkable the types of warmth that you kind of find and come across in the States," he told NPR.