The FIFA World Cup has long introduced visitors to host-country flavors, from South Korea’s fried chicken in 2002 to South Africa’s biltong in 2010 and Brazil’s caipirinha in 2014. In 2026, many international fans arriving in the United States are falling for an unexpected culinary export: ranch dressing.
Made from buttermilk, oil and spices, ranch is the United States’ most popular salad dressing and a ubiquitous dip for everything from wings to pizza. Tourists are so enamored that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has taken notice. “Yeah sooo your carry-on wasn’t actually made for checks notes 4 bottles of ranch,” the TSA joked on Instagram, reminding travelers that carry-on liquids must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and recommending that any ranch bottles be packed in checked luggage.
Ranch’s rise began in the 1950s, when a plumber in Alaska created the original recipe to spice up meals for coworkers. After retiring to a California dude ranch, he sold DIY spice kits by mail. Hidden Valley Ranch later commercialized the dressing in 1972, and today many brands produce bottled ranch nationwide. Hidden Valley reports roughly $1.5 billion in ranch sales over the past year.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to bring up to 10 million international visitors to U.S. host cities from Los Angeles to Boston. While a recent Pew Research Center survey shows mixed global views of the U.S., many fans are getting to know America through its food from Cap’n Crunch and Twinkies to Texas barbecue and, increasingly, ranch. The TSA told CNN that numerous European travelers are “falling in love with ranch” and trying to figure out how to take bottles home.
