HOUSTON – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken Houston by storm, with hundreds of international fans traveling to the city for the first time.
As many expected, the experience has brought plenty of culture shock for visitors from around the world.
Texas is known for its barbecue and the famous travel center chain Buc-ee's. In many parts of the world, however, everyday customs are much different.
Many countries don't have as many fast-food restaurants, and local grocery stores often don't feature dozens of aisles packed with multiple brands of the same product. Another popular topic of discussion among visitors has been air conditioning.
For many countries, air conditioning units aren't the norm in homes and businesses. But when visitors arrive in Texas — especially Houston — and experience the summer heat, they quickly realize why air conditioning is considered a necessity.
One fan from Germany has gained attention on X while documenting his experiences with Texas culture.
German social media influencer Freddy (@FreddyLA7 on X) has shared updates throughout his time in Texas, from trying Whataburger for the first time to taking a trip to a local Walmart.
He also had the chance to meet members of the Houston Police Department, who served him authentic Texas barbecue and introduced him to country music.
Our most American experience so far🇺🇸
We met with the Houston Police department and ate typical Texan BBQ together. It looked in there just like in the movies. They even put on Ella Langley just for us.😂 pic.twitter.com/zN5r2gTlqL
— Freddy🇩🇪 (@FreddyLA7) June 15, 2026
Freddy isn't the only international fan experiencing culture shock. Visitors from around the world have been sampling Texas staples, including Whataburger, Chick-fil-A and traditional Texas barbecue.
Shaun, an influencer from Iceland (@shaunvlog_ on X), traveled from Scotland and made a stop at the iconic Buc-ee's.
“You know what I love about Buc-ee's? That it is an inspirational brand,†he said in the video.
One family visiting from Europe also made a stop at the familiar restaurant chain Chili's. The family was surprised by some of the menu items, with one member commenting that a chicken sandwich looked much larger than expected.
With only six World Cup matches remaining in Houston, international visitors are encouraged to explore local barbecue spots, visit the highly talked-about Buc-ee's and check out some of Houston's most popular restaurants before heading home.
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