Jameis Winston traded the gridiron for the world’s game this offseason, taking on maybe the best summer job of all time. The FOX Sports World Cup correspondent (and former Heisman Trophy winner and current Giants quarterback) has marched with the Oranje Army. He's honored tradition with Japanese fans.
He's marched a goat in a GOAT jersey through Kansas City. He's been knighted. He's even worn Lederhosen.
He's diving headfirst into other cultures and their passionate love for soccer – and inviting everyone to be a part of it. And he's just getting started. Here’s a look at some of the best moments from Winston’s World Cup journey: Winston's World Cup journey continued over the Fourth of July weekend with another memorable stop.
He spent the holiday celebrating the United States' 250th anniversary alongside fans. Not only did Winston celebrate with fans, but he also surprised his sons by bringing them along to France's World Cup match. He embraced the holiday spirit by sharing cake with supporters and even getting up close with a fan dressed as the Declaration of Independence.
"Thanks for coming out to my birthday party, Jameis," he said. "You’re a true patriot, Jameis and thanks for your help." After speaking with Winston, it turns out that Libby, the Liberty Bell, is an "Eagles" fan. It doesn’t get much more American than that, but the irony is even better considering Winston is currently the backup quarterback for the New York Giants.
Throughout the match, Winston embraced the experience by connecting with fans across the stadium. He was also seen enjoying ice cream with his family and dancing among supporters, once again showing why his personality makes him such a unique fit for soccer coverage. What's a birthday celebration without cake and a traditional birthday song?
The round of 16 kicked off on Saturday, and Winston led the celebrations of America's 250th birthday in Philadelphia ahead of France vs. Paraguay. Ahead of Lionel Messi's return to Miami for Argentina vs.
Cape Verde, Winston joined Cape Verde fans in a shark costume ahead of the round of 32 showdown at Miami Stadium. Winston took his Blue Shark fandom to another level and intimidated Argentina fans. The Blue Sharks are seeking their first-ever knockout stage win in their World Cup debut.
Winston jumped right into the Norwegian traditions with the Viking row ahead of their 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. After Winston spotted Haaland for the first time, he wasted no time channeling his inner Viking. Norway moves on to play France in the round of 16 on July 5 at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Norway's fans have brought to our shores one of the World Cup's best celebrations – the Viking Row. You've seen it everywhere by now – from escalators in Boston to the bleachers at a Mets game. Of course, Jameis had to get in on the action, complete with a horned helmet and a faux fur wrap.
Let the rowing begin and remember – ROO! You read that correctly. Winston, who claimed he was not a "pooper scooper," picked up the waste left behind by his friend, Bunda the Cockapoo, on the sidewalk with a bag.
Winston's World Cup journey has seen a goat dressed as Messi and trips on the Netherlands' Oranje Bus, but what about being one with Colombia's music and dance culture? Ahead of Colombia's group stage finale against Portugal at Miami Stadium, Winston took part in Colombia's pregame music and dancing, and even dressed the part in a jersey and wig. As the group stages come to a close, Winston's World Cup journey continues with the round of 32 matchups, which begin on Sunday.
Anchoring the back line with captain Tim Ream, USA defender Chris Richards is officially on the pitch for his first World Cup after an injury in 2022. Winston had the chance to catch up with Richard's parents about his journey and resilience at USA's group stage match against Türkiye. "He followed his dream.
It wasn't our dream, and he went against that grain," Richards' father, Ken Richards, said. "It was hard missing out on the last World Cup due to an injury. This, just being here, just brought everything together.
It was a full circle moment," Richards' mother, Carrie Richards, said. And to close out their chat together, Winston brought out the lucky rubber chicken to do a ‘funky chicken’ dance in the stands. During his World Cup journey, Winston teamed up with WWE Superstar Sheamus to celebrate with soccer fans at a local pub.
The duo was spotted engaging with the crowd and taking part in the lively pre-match festivities. Drawing on his Irish heritage, Sheamus shared a piece of his culture by introducing Winston to a pint of Guinness. The video captures the two sharing a moment inside a pub, celebrating with local soccer fans ahead of the United States' group-stage match against Türkiye.
Not only is Winston making a massive impact on fans at the World Cup, but he’s also carving out a brand-new reputation. Thanks to his larger-than-life personality, he is quickly becoming the ultimate "man of the people." He’s been connecting with fans at every turn, even handing over his No. 4 United States jersey to a local fan in the crowd.
"He just gifted me his jersey," one fan said. "This is unbelievable. My grandma will hate me for that.
I’m speechless. This is amazing. Whoever said the U.S. can’t do soccer?
Go USA. Go America." If there’s one thing Winston has accomplished throughout this World Cup, it’s proving that he truly is a man of the people. Winston's World Cup journey continues as he sets out to assemble the loudest possible "USA" chants.
The momentum started earlier in the week at a Seattle Mariners game, where he successfully rallied an entire section into full-voice chants. He took that to the pre-game show, along with a countdown to the USA vs. Australia matchup.
His goal was simple and that was to bring both fanbases together while highlighting what makes American and Australian soccer cultures special. "My mission today is to allow Aussies to hear the USA chants from sea to shining sea," Winston said. The United States defeated Australia 2-0 on Friday night, and Winston matched the crowd's energy throughout.
As tensions rose following several hard challenges on the pitch, he kept the atmosphere lively by engaging in plenty of friendly trash talk with opposing fans. "The Australian team…they just don’t know what to do with us," Winston said. "They’re turning to violence.
That’s what little cousins do when they can’t fight." Despite the result not going Australia's way, Winston embraced the opportunity to connect with the Australian fans throughout the week. While Americans have their own traditions, few experiences topped Winston's firsthand look at Australia's famous shoey celebration. Winston witnessed one of Australia's most famous traditions firsthand as fans drank beer from a shoe.
"They showed us an amazing tradition in Australian culture," Winston said. "I’m talking about drinking a brew from a shoe. You gotta love traditions." Emerald City is ready!
Seattle has a legit claim at being one of the most soccer-crazed cities in the country. Winston joined the American Outlaws – the official supporters' group of the U.S. teams – before Friday's huge match. Seattle is awash in red, white, and blue and this city knows how to get behind a winner, having just recently celebrated the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks.
Winston has now found himself at a Seattle Mariners game, where he was honored with the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Next, he'll turn his attention to soccer as the United States men's national team prepares to face Australia at Seattle Stadium on Friday night. During his appearance at T-Mobile Park, Winston rallied the crowd into a loud chorus of "USA" chants.
His mission was to create the biggest chant possible in Seattle, and by all accounts, he succeeded. As Winston's World Cup journey continues across the country, he is bringing fans together through a shared love of the game. The roaring "USA" chant at the Mariners game was another example of his ability to connect with sports fans wherever he goes.
Now, it doesn't seem likely that these England supporters actually have the royal authority to knight Jameis Winston, but listen: it's the World Cup, everyone is having a good time, so, Sir Jameis Winston it is, even if just for a day. Even if being knighted is an ephemeral act, that kit is not: Winston now has himself an England jersey with his name on it. A knight's cuirass?
Brigandine? Hauberk? His chain mail?
Whichever it's standing in for, it's custom just for Jameis. Lionel Messi has completely taken over Argentina’s opening FIFA World Cup match against Algeria, scoring not one, not two but three goals, completing the hat trick. He would have even had a fourth if he hadn’t been ruled offside earlier in the first half.
Jameis Winston had the best angle on Messi’s golazo and was seen celebrating with fans in Argentina’s section. He was also wearing a customized "Winston Argentina" jersey. Tuesday ahead of Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria in Kansas City, Winston was getting pumped for the match.
But he wasn't alone. Winston had a pal with him, a literal real-life goat named Wesley, who was perfectly dressed for the occasion in a Lionel Messi jersey. This World Cup is expected to be Messi's last, and because of that, it's worth celebrating and savoring every moment the GOAT is on the pitch.
It's not often to see a goat, much less one adorned in the trademark colors of a living legend, being at the center of attention ahead of one of the most anticipated games at the tournament. But Wesley dressed as Messi deserves all the love he was shown in KC. Winston continues to be a national treasure when it comes to his involvement in the World Cup this year.
He was spotted helping Japanese fans clean up the stands (a tradition that was spotlighted after the team's first World Cup in 1998) following Japan's thrilling 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Sunday afternoon. The FOX Sports broadcast team, featuring Rob Stone, couldn’t contain their excitement for Winston as the feed shifted over to him in the crowd. "Jameis Winston is working with the Japanese national team to clean up Dallas Stadium," Stone said.
"He’s a man of the people. Show me a number one draft pick in NFL history who takes out his own garbage bag and cleans up inside the stadium. One of the Japanese fans later described how he was surprised to see an NFL quarterback joining the clean-up effort, but was appreciative on Winston joining the cherished tradition.
Jameis got up close and personal with one of the best fan bases in the world in Dallas, where the Netherlands and the always raucous "Oranje Army" know how to make an entrance. Winston rode along with the Dutch fans in their "Oranje Army Bus" and admitted that "there's nothing bigger than the Dutch Army." USA! USA!
Jameis took in the sights and sounds at Los Angeles Stadium for the United States' opening match Friday, which included meeting up with influencer IShowSpeed. Not a bad way to see one of the USA's biggest wins ever at a World Cup.
