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The perfect eats for every World Cup match

Whatever team you're watching, at any time of day, these eats will make a match.

Chicken shawarma with puffed pita and pickled onion salad

Source: Andrew Dorn

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All the action of the FIFA World Cup™ is here, and no matter what team you are cheering for in each match, we've got eats to keep you fuelled for all the football action. Let's kick things off in alphabetical order:

Argentina

Argentina's first match, against Saudi Arabia, kicks off Tuesday night for Australian viewers, so there are plenty of options for a footy dinner from  (you can make the pastry and filling in advance) to quick (but full of flavour, thanks to the addition of a dash of garlic, wine and vinegar during cooking) . If you're catching their next match, against Mexico, in the early hours of Sunday morning, the  makes a hearty breakfast: a bread roll with teak, lettuce, tomato and ham, finished off with a fried egg. And for those with a sweet tooth, check the  for multiple variations on that rich, delicious South American caramel, dulce de leche.
Pan-fried steaks
Pan-fried steaks Source: Rachel Tolosa Paz

Australia

Cheering on the Socceroos? Your options are endless, from some patriotic to an  (complete with controversial pineapple!) or some ultimate nostalgia with .  If you're getting up for an early viewing session, put some  in the fridge the night before so it's all ready to add some just toppings and eat when you get up, or Aussie-up your breakfast with  (a wattleseed variation on Nutella),  or  (as well as the yeast-risen version shown below, there's also, made with a quick scone dough, too). Explore the full multicultural marvellousness of what we eat today in the  for more ideas.
Vegemite cheesy scrolls
Vegemite cheesy scrolls Source: Bonnie Savage

Belgium

No matter what team you are cheering for, a bowl of golden, crunchy  (Belgian potato fries) served up with mayo makes for great game snacking. And if you'd like to get ahead,  can keep in the fridge for several days, ready to heat and eat. With beef, bacon, onion and chunky veg, plus deep flavour from herbs, spices, mustard and the long slow cooking, this will fuel plenty of cheering.
Dorie Greenspan's Belgian Beef and Beer Stew
Beef and beer stew Source: The Washington Post

Brazil

Thinking of firing up the barbecue ahead of an evening game? Brazil has plenty of ideas to keep you going: how about , served up with  and  (fried cheese sticks)? Satisfy a sweet tooth with  (Brazilian chocolate caramels) or .
Cachaca chicken skewers
Cachaca chicken skewers Source: Smith Street Books

Cameroon

For a true taste of Cameroon, embrace the deliciousness of fried . Other favourite dishes include . And Cameroon is one of several West African countries where  is popular.
West African peanut stew
Source: China Squirrel

Canada

 - fries with cheese curds and gravy - is a Canadian classic. You could also play with the idea in a . Lean into Canadian game day fare with  or . If you plan ahead, you can slow-cook beef brisket for a . And on the sweet side, Canada has given us maple syrup, which sweetens up everything from  (part bread, part doughnut, 100% sugar-sprinkled indulgence) to  or perky Canadian cook Mary Berg's even easier take on that rich, gooey classic with her recipe for .
Pretzel dogs
Pretzel dogs Source: Mary's Kitchen Crush

Costa Rica

As a coastal country, it's no surprise that Costa Rica does great seafood (dive into our seafood collection  for plenty of ideas). If you've got some time to prep, make . Rich  is an indulgent dessert, with a sponge cake dressed with a mixture of milk (or cream), condensed milk and evaporated milk (you can also try a  - not traditional, but adding an extra depth of flavour).
Costa Rican tamales
Costa Rican pork tamales Source: Feast / Chris Chen

Croatia

From the Mediterranean food of the coast to the rich continental cuisine of the interior, Croatia offers . Fire up the 'cue pre-match for a  with , or . This could also be the perfect time to try making  - Croatian potato doughnuts, delicious balls rolled in icing sugar to deliver a delicious combination of warm doughnut and crunchy sweetness.
Stuffed barbecued squid
Stuffed barbecued squid Source: Armelle Habib

Denmark

While those of us fond of baked sweets might immediately think of Danish pastries, there's a lot more to the food of Denmark (though if you want to try your hand at making Danish, there are so many delicious options: try  - a raspberry and marzipan pastry - or. For game eats, you can line up anything from  to  or .
Danish prawn sandwich
Danish prawn sandwich Source: Danielle Abou Karam

Ecuador

If you're planning a big gathering (or want leftovers!) plan ahead and make . Enjoy the falling-apart slow-cooked pork and crackling with salad and agrio sauce for a big meal with mates, and then turn the leftovers into  or .
Ecuadorian slow-roasted pork with agrio sauce and salad
Ecuadorian slow-roasted pork with agrio sauce and salad Source: Chris Middleton

England

England is great at baking, from  to , but for couch-side eats, how about , an ,, or . Or set up a  and graze between the cheering bouts.
Ploughman’s platter with piccalilli
Ploughman’s platter with piccalilli Source: Feast magazine

France

 has travelled the world, and while some of it is top-end, award-winning fine dining, for match cheering, there are plenty of easy options too. Perhaps a classic , or . Or put a spin on a classic snack with , with flavoured butter melted over hot, fresh popcorn. For dessert,  are great as they are, or crumbled over ice cream.
Chocolate French meringues
A chocolate version of French meringue Source: The Chocolate Queen

Germany

If pizza is your match-watch fave food, try an easy version of Germany's  aka 'flame cake': top your favourite flatbreads with bacon or speck, pan-fried onion, and a cream cheese-yoghurt-nutmeg mix. For something heartier, buy some good-quality sausages and pickles, make your own flavoured dipping mustard with Adam Liaw's recipe (it uses dark German beer for extra flavour) and serve up his . Or perhaps a . If you need a hearty breakfast to keep you going, a  is a great one-pan meal from northern Germany with potato, egg and bacon. And if you're after a quick dessert that can also double as a sweet breakfast,  - a pan-fried thick pancake that is then shredded into chunky pieces - is very easy to make.
Farmer's breakfast
Bauernfrühstück Source: Alan Benson

Ghana

If you're settling in for a meal,  will do nicely. Jollof rice is a staple in many parts of West Africa. This version is flavoured with garlic, ginger, onion, chilli, various spices and tomato, and served with seasoned grilled fish. Or for a warm, delicious dessert, make a batch of .
Jollof rice with fish
Jollof rice with fish Source: Alan Benson

Iran

Iranian and Persian cuisine offers a wonderful array of dishes. Some reward hours of slow cooking - like  - but for faster game fare try , served up in flatbreads, , or . For sweet snacking, make a batch of  or to cool down on a hot night, have some  on hand.
Rissoles
Lamb and potato rissoles (kotlet-e gousht). Source: John Laurie

Japan

Japanese food gives us so many great options for a match-watching fare - many of which free up the other hand for cheering and waving at the on-screen action! Go casual with a , make  (which pair Japanese-style fried chicken with yuzu mayo, pickled ginger and apple in soft buns), or easy skewers, keep it cool on a warm night with  or  or snack on . If you are a ramen fan, there are endless options, from  to  and even the garlic-loaded . Find many more ideas, including desserts, in the .
Tonkotsu ramen
Tonkotsu ramen Source: Feast magazine

Korea Republic

For a Korean twist on classic TV viewing food, try , which embraces the flavours of , tossing caramel popcorn with nuts and seeds to create crunchy, sweet-salty clusters. Or  (a stuffed pancake that's delicious as a snack or served with ice cream as a dessert). On the savoury side of things, try  (savoury pancakes), served with soy dipping sauce, , which is sweet, salty and garlicky and gets even better after a day sitting in the fridge. This is one of the SBS Food team's favourite make-again-and-again recipes.
Shredded soy-braised beef (jang jorim)
Shredded soy-braised beef (jang jorim) Source: Billy Law

Mexico

While there's a lot more to Mexican food than tacos, they do make outstandingly good eat-between-cheers (or screams!) food. Find many variations - including a heap from Mexico - in our . Go hearty with Pati Jinich's , find a tasty vegan option with  or go modern Mexican with  in soft flour tortillas. If you've got mates over for a match,  is a great option: a layered pie of corn tortillas, chillies, corn, salsa, sour cream and melty white cheese. For a meal for two, try an easy . For a Mexican breakfast (that also works just fine for dinner) try - two eggs, separated by beans and topped with two salsas. To finish the feast, try , a popular summer street treats in Mexico: these 'water popsicles' make the most of seasonal fruit, such as watermelon and strawberries.
Aztec pie (pastel Azteca)
Aztec pie (pastel Azteca) Source: Alan Benson

Morocco

The  offers everything from snacky eats to hearty meals for a crowd.  delivers great slow-cooked tender meat. is an easy one-pot meal, perfect for a week-night match meal. For snacking, try Hassan M'Souli's , served warm with flatbreads, or on the sweet side, .
Moroccan green pea dip
Moroccan green pea dip Source: Alan Benson

Poland

Whether you want comfort food in the form of , a refreshing bowl of  or one of the many varieties of pierogi popular in Poland (such as these ), the  will never leave you hungry. If you are looking for dessert ideas, try a , with a sweet cheese and sultana filling and lattice top, or sugar, cinnamon, jam and walnut-filled , delicious rolled pastry biscuits.
Potato and cheese dumplings (ruskie pierogi)
Potato and cheese dumplings (ruskie pierogi) Source: Feast / John Laurie

Portugal

From  to the much-loved , Portugal has something for watching at any hour of the day. You can greet the morning with , and relax at lunch and dinner with  (a salad stew of green leaves, crunchy breadcrumbs, pine nuts and beans),  or tender, slow-cooked  (lamb). Or embrace the flavours of piri piri chicken in .
Migas
Migas Source: Sharyn Cairns

Qatar

Many of the flavours and dishes popular across the Middle East are found in Qatar too, from  to golden, syrup-soaked sweet pastries. Kunafa is especially popular: a , which appears in several guises.
Chicken shawarma with puffed pita and pickled onion salad
Chicken shawarma with puffed pita and pickled onion salad Source: Andrew Dorn

Saudi Arabia

Falafel (tamiya) are a Saudi favourite. Serve your . For a dish to feed a crowd, cook up , a fragrant rice and meat dish popular in many places in the Persian Gulf. Sweet pastries are also a favourite here. Try Huda AlSultan's recipe for, inspired by the sweets she ate growing up in Saudi Arabia. Her  pie is another great dessert idea.
Nadem’s lamb kabsah
Lamb kabsah Source: Chris Phillips / Jimmy Shu’s Taste of the Territory

Senegal

 is originally from Casamance in Senegal. This dish of tender chicken, melt-in-the-mouth onions and lemon is rich in flavour. Serve with rice for a hearty meal to fuel your viewing. Jollof rice, or  as it's known in Senegal, is popular across West Africa and no wonder - it's colourful and easy to prepare. Or for a seafood dish from Senegal, try , a rice and fish stew.
Yassa chicken from Saka Saka
Yassa chicken Source: Aline Princet / Murdoch Books

Serbia

From (pork and beef mince patties) to  (svinjski ražnjići sa urnebes) and , Serbia has plenty of options for fuelling your viewing. But leave some room for sweets, too, perhaps  (rolled pastry biscuits filled with jam or hazelnut spread) or  (sweet pumpkin pastry, made with crisp, light dough - you can make your own, or use bought filo).
Pork skewers with “chaotic” garlic spread (svinjski ražnjići sa urnebes)
Pork skewers with “chaotic” garlic spread Source: Marija Petrović

Spain

The food of Spain makes great use of seasonal ingredients, whether it's served as tapas, family meals or celebratory gatherings. You'll find plenty of match-friendly food in our , from  to a . If you're looking to serve up several snacky dishes, tapas style, try , slices of , or the ever-lasting favourite, . And wash it down with .
Island fish croquetes (mandonguilles de peix)
Island fish croquetes (mandonguilles de peix) Source: Rochelle Eagle

Switzerland

If you want some pre-match fun, Switzerland is known for fondue, and you should try this  - it's a rich one! - or this . Also high on the comfort food scale is , a little like Swiss mac and cheese. Switzerland is also home to some lovely desserts and baking, such as , which are like little puff pastry croissants, or , spiced honey-nut biscuits.
Baked caramelised onion and cheese fondue
Baked caramelised onion and cheese fondue Source: Savannah van der Niet

The Netherlands

 roams widely, from hearty traditional dishes to easy modern food.  make winning match fare, while  reflects the Netherlands' strong cheese-making traditions. If you're in the mood for a noodle stir-fry, try , a Dutch version of mi goreng. For a sweet snack, try a bowl of n (inspired by Dutch ).
Spicy pulled pork rolls with coleslaw and barbecue sauce
Spicy pulled pork rolls with coleslaw and barbecue sauce Source: Alan Benson

Tunisia

 have become a cafe favourite in Australia, for good reason, and it's great for breakfast, brunch or dinner. If you've got a little time, yeasted , soaked in honey and lemon syrup and fragrant with orange blossom water, are worth the effort.
Harissa prawns with chickpeas and lemon couscous
Harissa prawns with chickpeas and lemon couscous Source: Mary Makes It Easy

Uruguay

Embrace the ! The toppings of this sausage in a bun change depending on the region or stall you buy it from, though popular additions include cheese, mustard, onion and salsa golf - a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise. Or make a bowl of : quince paste – known in Uruguay as dulce de membrillo – and grated cheese bring a glorious balance of sweetness, saltiness and creaminess.
Hot dog (pancho)
Pancho (Uruguayan hot dog) Source: Feast / Brett Stevens

USA

America has plenty to offer when it comes to game food. Try anything from  to  or . For early morning sustenance, dig into some  or perhaps a . If you're a choc chip cookie fan, try .
Deep dish vegetable pizza
Deep dish vegetable pizza Source: Kitti Gould

Wales

is like an extra special cheese toastie, while a  makes another rich dish to keep you fuelled and going in for more. Don't forget to pan-fry a few studded while hovering in the kitchen for a sweet hitter.
Ham sandwich rarebit
Ham sandwich rarebit Source: Adam Liaw

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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15 min read
Published 21 November 2022 3:35pm
Updated 21 November 2022 3:43pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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