German fan explores Georgia before World Cup. How he rates Waffle House

In just two days, hundreds of thousands of soccer fans will be heading to their stadium seats to watch the start of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. People from around the world will be in the United States, Mexico and Canada as they host the 104-match tournament.

Some fans are arriving in host cities early to see what they have to offer, and one German soccer loyal is sharing his experience in the United States online.

The fan's X account, under the name @FreddyLA7, has gained tens of thousands of followers as the fan describes his experience in the United States, starting in Georgia and eventually crossing the southeast to Texas.

According to the account, the fan shared his excitement about attending the World Cup on social media before flying into New York City before continuing on to Atlanta. He spotted lots of other international soccer fans along the way.

"This is such a unique experience. We're all wearing our Germany jerseys and so many people at the airport keep asking us about the World Cup," Freddy wrote on June 5.

German fan takes on Atlanta

Once Freddy was in Atlanta, he complimented the Atlanta Stadium, known most of the time as Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Like many locals, he noticed the energy in the city was already getting high days before the tournament, but there still appeared to be some work to be done.

He called the MARTA transit system, which has faced recent criticism and a federal investigation for a string of violent attacks, like a "GTA lobby" with "one person next to us taking off his shirt and declaring war on Donald Trump while another person is moonwalking across the platform." He called the system "a bit scary," and recommended other fans us Uber to get to matches instead.

He also noticed one of Atlanta's claims to fame — being the "City in the Forest."

"Atlanta is so green it's crazy. It feels like you're in a forest the whole time," Freddy wrote on X.

While in Atlanta he stopped at Taco Bell, calling it "the holy land," as well as some filming locations from the television show "Stranger Things," and the Martin Luther King National Historical Park, where the civil rights leader and his wife, Coretta, are buried. He reached the top of Stone Mountain and took the cable car back to the ground.

As his account gained more attention, Atlanta locals kept telling Freddy to visit Magic City, an adult entertainment venue and club notorious in Atlanta as the birthplace of multiple famous music artists. The club was recently at the center of a controversy with the Atlanta Hawks.

"Why is every second comment telling me to go to a strip club? Is this a normal activity to do in America?" Freddy asked online.

German fan heads to North Georgia

Freddy's Georgia experience didn't end in Atlanta. Next, he had the full American experience by stopping at a Walmart, driving through the neighborhoods of Gainesville, Georgia and making a much-needed stop at Waffle House.

He then felt right at home when stopping in Helen, Georgia, a town that is modeled after the iconic architecture of German mountain towns. While in town he went down the Alpine Rollercoaster, then decided to "shoot the 'hooch."

Like many tubers before him, Freddy quickly learned it's a good idea to spend a few dollars on a locker for your shoes and clothes.

As his journey continued north, Freddy hit Wendy's and Brasstown Bald before heading into Chattanooga for the night. He then took the tram up the Tennessee side of Lookout Mountain for a view of the Appalachians.

Freddy shared his trip plans, sending him south across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana before eventually reaching Houston.

When are the World Cup matches in Atlanta?

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium) will host five group stage matches, a round of 32 match, a round of 16 match and one of the tournament's semifinal match.

• Monday, June 15 — Spain vs Cabo Verde, Group H - Shop tickets
• Thursday, June 18 — South Africa vs Czechia, Group A - Shop tickets
• Sunday, June 21 — Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Group H - Shop tickets
• Wednesday, June 24 — Morocco vs Haiti - Shop tickets
• Saturday, June 27 — Uzbekistan vs Congo, Group K - Shop tickets
• Wednesday, July 1 — Group L winners vs third place from Group E/H/I/J/K - Shop tickets
• Tuesday, July 7 — Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners - Shop tickets
• Wednesday, July 15 — tournament semifinal, teams TBD - Shop tickets

Irene Wright covers the FIFA World Cup as the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at [email protected].