A Swedish World Cup fan is falling head over heels for a hidden valley of American flavor.
Stockholm-native Elsa Thora, 24, touched down in America for the first time in Indiana on June 8 — and quickly developed a new obsession with ranch dressing.
“It was amazing. I’ve said to lots of people that I won’t be able to live without it now. I’m gonna either have to try to order some online or make some myself,” she said.
“I don’t think it exists in Sweden … I’ve never ever seen it in Sweden, I’ve never seen it in the UK.”
Thora described the everything dressing as “crack” and has used it on French fries, burgers, and bacon wrapped tater tots.
She’s also been charmed by American friendliness.
“People just talk to you, like random people, they say ‘hi’ on the street. It’s been the same in San Francisco, so far, to be fair as well,” she told The Post. “That does not happen in Sweden at all … people are very anti-social there, you barely speak to your neighbor.”
Thora said even small things which Americans take for granted seemed magical.
“The school buses are really cool, the firetrucks, obviously the diners are really cool. It’s literally all like the movies, I feel like I’m in a movie right now,” she said, adding that school buses are not used in Sweden.
She was also shocked to find that Amish people “are real,” according to an X post.
“I saw some Amish people and a horse and carriage, that was kind of crazy,” she said.
Thora spent a few days driving through Indiana before heading to San Francisco, and has her sights set on Dallas for Sweden’s June 25 match against Japan — then the New York City area for the England vs. Panama game on June 27, where she plans to stay through America’s 250th anniversary celebration on July 4
“I’m really looking forward to the Fourth of July … I just love how patriotic you guys are as well,” she said.
Thora said she would love to make this American dream permanent.
“I’d love to move to the USA! But it’s so hard for Europeans to move,” she said.
Thora is among the World Cup fanatics touring the US who have been going viral for their cultural and culinary excursions.
love affair with her new obsession — ranch dressing. Courtesy of Elsa Thora
German-born influencer Fiago, real name Finn Agostinelli, is touring Chicago and is mesmerized by tailgating.
“I fell in love with the tailgating before sporting events! We don’t really have that culture in Europe,” he told The Post. “The atmosphere is beautiful. Everyone invites you to their truck, gives you food and drinks, we made so many new friends!”
A touring Scotsman who goes by Shaun has had his stomach captured by America.
“Every Scottish person in America needs to immediately try chicken fried steak, and you’ll realize we and the Americans are kindred spirits,” he wrote on X.
That caught the attention of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who replied: “Haha chicken fried steak is as Americana as it gets!”
