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USA has the largest foreign fan base in Brazil for the World Cup

graham watson

RIO DE JANEIRO — The conventional wisdom that Americans don’t like soccer can officially be thrown out the window.

According to FIFA, the United State has the second-largest fan contingent in Brazil next to, well, the Brazilians.

And that’s just counting tickets.

U.S. fans bought 198,208 tickets for World Cup matches, but in Rio, many more flocked to the official fan fest on Copacabana Beach as well as several bars in the same area and Ipanema Beach.

[Photos: Team USA in Brazil: A (social) media journey]

Chants of “USA! USA!” can be heard throughout the streets at any given time and during the game, the infamous “I Believe” chant was as prevalent as any chant heard during any game.

And the 2-1 win against Ghana didn’t hurt the support and trying to find a seat or a spot to stand at fan fest or a local bar might be difficult to come by during the crucial game against Portugal on Sunday.

Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter