The 2026 World Cup has shattered attendance and scoring records, but the real story unfolds off the field as international fans discover America and Americans embrace the world. Tariq Panja explains how chance encounters between Scottish fans and Bostonians, Norwegian visitors exploring Bucky's gas stations, and diaspora communities navigating complex identities are reshaping how people see each other and themselves. Scottish fans' two-decade absence from the World Cup led to a legendary reputation in Boston, with the city's Globe dedicating a full page thanking them for their visit and their tradition of loud, joyful fandom without hooliganism.