Which is a shame, because the visiting fans from those nations really seemed to have enjoyed their time here, and who could blame them?From Freddy's well-documented road trip throughout the United States to Scotland's full-scale invasion of every bar and pub along the Eastern Seaboard, it's been fun to follow the exploits of fans from all corners of the world during this year's tournament.Scottish fans have been living it up since arriving in Boston for the World Cup...and honestly, before they arrived too.
(Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)While everyone hasn't been thrilled about foreign visitors speaking so glowingly with regard to America, an unlikely source sees this World Cup for what it is: a rousing success for the United States and its public image.INTERNET FALLS IN LOVE WITH GERMAN SOCCER FAN DISCOVERING AMERICAN SOUTH AHEAD OF 2026 WORLD CUPLiberal talk show host and comedian Bill Maher dedicated a segment on his show "Real Time" to the people who made this tournament as memorable off the pitch as the teams that play on it."I am loving that the World Cup has brought to our shores all of these people that are doing Americans the service of reminding us, just when we needed it, on our big (250th) birthday, that actually, this place is kind of awesome," Maher said, as he was met with raucous cheers and applause.Sure, Maher had his usual moments of poking fun with his dry wit, saying he saw more scoring "at a Star Trek convention" (an admittedly funny line), but he was also effusive with his praise for the tournament as a whole.I'VE BEEN TO 45 COUNTRIES AND ALL 50 STATES.HERE ARE 5 THINGS THAT MAKE AMERICA GREATBill Maher attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Mark Guiducci at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif.
(Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)Maher reminded everyone that, while there are problems that need to be addressed in this country, no one is perfect."The name of our country is 'Americ...