It was quite a shift landing in quiet Kansas City shortly after seeing the chaos on New York streets when the Knicks claimed the NBA Finals and Brazil tied Morocco. Yet this World Cup overflows with contrasts, from Fifa endless push for profit (five dollars for a bottle of water in the press area) to the friendliness of locals met in the Big Apple, Kansas City and Dallas. The football stands out too. Keeping pace with so many games has been tough, but the first round delivered several gems, including DR Congo holding Portugal and England defeating Croatia on the same day to wrap up an exciting opening week. Here is hoping the quality lasts. Ed Aarons

It took almost the entire first round, but a US public normally absorbed in other sports has now focused fully on soccer, sorry, football, I slipped on the terminology switch. That fits, since the situation has felt clumsy at times, such as when loud talk radio hosts must discuss international football as the top story while lacking any experts on the topic. Still these are just adjustment issues. The sport appears in bars and shops, gets debated at school runs and on the drive back. It feels wonderful and exactly the shift many of us in the States have sought. Alexander Abnos

In Texas I encountered a state, and maybe nation, where the World Cup signifies everything and nothing at once. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia fans filled bars in Houston East Downtown area. I sat in a Dallas stadium surrounded by more Ronaldo number seven shirts on local voices than seemed possible. Yet I also attended a five thousand strong Republican gathering complete with an elephant where the event barely registered, chatted with Uber drivers who knew nothing about how the tournament works and reached a town one hundred miles from the city where the World Cup might as well occur on another planet. This country can stage a lively and rewarding World Cup yet can also host one that draws almost no notice. Nick Ames

A few days in always congested Los Angeles highlight the enormous size of this World Cup. The city stretches forty four miles north to south, far beyond the gap between the two furthest stadiums in Qatar four years ago. As for venues, the massive SoFi Los Angeles Stadium impresses with its spaceship design and teardrop shaped one million square foot canopy created by American architects. The hosts have missed some marks lately but they excel at constructing top tier stadiums. Ben Fisher

Donald Trump skipping the US four one win over Paraguay in LA last week surprised some, though it pleased Fifa which worried his presence would turn the tournament launch into a sideshow. Trump stayed low key during the World Cup and reports suggest the jeers he faced at game three of the NBA Finals in New York may have kept him away. If true then Knicks supporters helped Fifa, though Trump will likely appear at the final in New Jersey where he is set to present the trophy. Matt Hughes

This should not have shocked anyone yet the sheer size of the US left me stunned. The freeways stood out most, stretching for endless miles. Downtown zones in cities such as Tampa, Orlando and Dallas also felt heavy on concrete and light on personality. Walking out for quick errands proved rare. On scale the giant screen inside the Dallas stadium dazzled with its immersive film like effect while an elite match unfolded below. The wildest scene came with the tornado alert in Kansas City last Saturday night that blared a piercing tone from street speakers for roughly an hour. Time to head inside. David Hytner

My opening view of the World Cup? Those boasting about attending the Azteca can step aside. Not that envy plays any role. I stayed in Atlanta and Chattanooga. The press area at Atlanta stadium offered free ice cream with sprinkles, cookies and M and Ms. After South Africa tied Czechia their coach Hugo Broos grumbled that the venue was not a football ground. I felt he missed the mark because it is a football ground and a fine one at that, a downtown site reachable on foot rather than a distant sweltering lot, which lifts the atmosphere. People also proved warm and helpful. Sid Lowe

Strikers keep delivering. The first match that stirred real excitement for both the game and the event was Sweden routing Tunisia behind the Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres partnership. Something classic stood out, a fresh duo clicking right away on the grandest stage. Two days later came that memorable run from Kylian Mbappe then Erling Haaland then Lionel Messi followed by Harry Kane the next day. After several tournaments centered on creative attackers the leading goal scorers have arrived here, apologies to Cristiano, and it has been a thrill. Paul MacInnes

International football quality has never been stronger. Quietly this nearly justifies the expanded World Cup format. Curacao caught Germany on an off day just as Scotland did at the last Euros, yet otherwise even supposed weaker sides show strong coaching, solid preparation and physical presence. Cape Verde provide the clearest case. Haiti competed hard against Scotland while Norway victory over Iraq proved tighter than the scoreline. Saudi Arabia also looked solid. Debate continues over how elite teams compare with top sides from past World Cups but the standard among lower ranked teams has clearly risen. No match feels automatic. Ewan Murray

In New York New Jersey and Philadelphia where I covered matches no signs outside the stadiums suggested a World Cup was underway. On the day South Africa faced Czechia in Atlanta New Yorkers cared more about the Knicks ticker tape parade after their first NBA title in fifty three years. New York truly belongs to the Knicks. Yet Ecuador a nation of eighteen million still drew more than sixty thousand fans to Philadelphia Stadium for their one nil loss to Cote d Ivoire which felt like a home game. Osasu Obayiuwana

Following this World Cup resembles trying to eat an enormous layered sandwich with one hand while chefs keep extending it so the end never appears. Travel and heat were expected in such a large warm country. The assault on the senses proved constant too in a very American way. The volume of games felt overwhelming yet addictive. Stadiums performed well with SoFi the finest of its kind. The pleasant surprise of America at this World Cup grows stronger if you already know the country. Many locals also express anger at Donald Trump or wish to apologise for his conduct. Despite its faults America remains the most vibrant mix of immigrant cultures anywhere. Even a bloated Fifa World Cup can end up revealing the best of this nation. Barney Ronay

More than thirty two teams deserved a World Cup spot though forty eight may push the limit. It is no shock that the tournament feels more enjoyable when treated mainly as a soccer event rather than a commercial exercise. I still cannot see how to fix game flow or match credibility compared with earlier World Cups that avoided three minute halts. Every time a contest builds momentum the whistles interrupt. It should not turn into a four quarter sport. Jeff Rueter

The larger format removed much tension from early group matches since third place in eight of twelve groups advances. Uncertainty over the cutoff, whether four points plus goal difference or just three points suffice, also weakened the usual World Cup predictions. Is that a reasonable trade for fewer dead rubbers late in the group stage? The answer can wait a week. Jack Snape

Midwest warmth in Kansas City shows the US extends beyond news headlines. Extreme weather remains difficult though. Last Saturday brought heat and heavy humidity by afternoon followed by tornado warnings at night. Avoiding meat proves tough as chicken often counts as the vegetarian choice. Interest in football varies. The USMNT opener aired in our hotel lobby while a group watched baseball on another screen and checked scores now and then. Yet I also met a Chelsea supporter during Mexico versus South Korea who knew the game well. Jacob Steinberg

The football has impressed with more openness than expected, though that may change in the knockout rounds, featuring strong showings from top players and sides plus enough surprises to maintain interest. Off the field matters turned chaotic. Mexico seemed somewhat unprepared for the scale, issuing work from home rules to cut traffic on match days while wifi and media setups at stadiums faltered. Food tasted excellent but coffee fell short. Jet lag hit hard and rain arrived more often than forecast. Jonathan Wilson