Americans have become more obsessed with the World Cup.

Dr. Phan Cong Chuong, a Vietnamese-American dentist working in Virginia, shared his thoughts with Tuoi Tre newspaper about the atmosphere surrounding the 2026 World Cup in the US.

Mr. Phan Cong Chuong works in the medical field in the US - Photo: FBNV

"Virginia isn't hosting the World Cup. But a few days ago I had to go to Philadelphia for work (where Lincoln Stadium hosted some matches involving Brazil and France), so I got a sense of the World Cup atmosphere there."

These days in America remind me of 1994 – when the US first hosted the World Cup. At that time, my family had only recently moved to America. We were a little disappointed because the World Cup in the US didn't live up to our expectations. As Vietnamese, we're huge football fans, but Americans aren't.

The World Cup atmosphere largely comes from overseas fans. But the excitement only lasts in the match venues. America is so vast, life remains normal in most places.

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For comparison, I think the 2026 World Cup will be more exciting than the 1994 one, even though this time there are three host countries. After three decades, the impact of marketing is very clear. People can feel the World Cup festival existing in the US through posters and advertisements in public places. In contrast, in 1994, many Americans didn't even know their country was hosting the World Cup.

Most Americans will be able to watch the World Cup, as some matches are free to watch, and the paid ones are very affordable. Restaurants and bars are also advertising that they will be broadcasting throughout the World Cup. The only question is whether Americans... actually want to watch.

I think the World Cup atmosphere here still can't compare to the American Football season. When the NFL season starts, everyone can feel the festive spirit and excitement everywhere. But overall, soccer is gradually becoming more popular in America, especially among the African American community.

Instead of focusing on football, Americans are more agitated about stories related to the World Cup. For example, the case of Somali referee Omar Artan being expelled from the tournament for unclear reasons. Many say that his expulsion was purely political (revolving around Somali-American congresswoman Ilhan Omar) and feel sorry for him.

There was interest and controversy, but Americans welcomed the World Cup with a friendly and confident attitude. Most Americans weren't worried about security, even though the World Cup would bring millions more visitors to the United States.

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The economy remains the top concern in the US. In May, statistics showed a significant increase in the US employment rate. This is very positive news, meaning a decrease in negative incidents. However, I think recent global events, particularly the conflict with Iran, will likely lead Americans to be more cautious with their spending during the World Cup.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-my-da-me-world-cup-hon-20260612084601259.htm