American classics fuel Britain's World Cup feasting with chicken wings, hotdogs and onion rings on the matchday menu

Published: 13:17, 7 June 2026 | Updated: 13:19, 7 June 2026 With England and Scotland’s World Cup campaigns kicking off Stateside next week, it’s perhaps appropriate that Brits are stocking up on classic American snacks. Chicken wings, hotdogs, onion rings and popcorn are among the top items football fans plan to serve as finger food while watching the action, a poll has found. Given some World Cup matches are taking place in Mexico, too, it’s also fitting that nachos with cheese and salsa are a popular choice. But the half time pie, beloved of matchday crowds at football grounds up and down the country, does not appear in armchair fans' top 20 snacks for the tournament.  The survey of football supporters showed the crucial importance of having a tasty spread – with nearly three quarters, 73pc, saying that having the right food is just as important as what happens on the pitch. Some 16pc of hosts admitted they are determined to be crowned the best host in their friendship group. A whopping 70pc of those questioned admitted they actually eat more when watching football than any other sport. Crisps and dips were the top choice of food in the poll, chosen by 57pc, while chicken wings came second at 39pc. Pizza was on the menu for 36pc of fans followed by nachos with cheese and salsa, for 33pc, then hotdogs, a must for 32pc of those asked. The FIFA 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico kicks off on Thursday Onion rings were among top finger foods for 24pc of people, while sweet popcorn was a favourite for 22pc. Among other top items were salted nuts and sausage rolls, both hugely popular as the choices cited by 31pc of those asked. But the poll revealed some armchair football fans had more refined tastes, with 18pc planning a cheeseboard. Garlic bread, mini and full-sized burgers, chicken goujons, cocktail sausages, barbecue ribs and mozzarella sticks were also popular. MasterChef finalist and self-confessed "Meat Maestro" Mike Tomkins said the most popular football snack foods all share one important characteristic – they allow fans to focus on the action without missing a moment. He said: ‘These foods are designed for what chefs call 'low-interruption eating'. They're easy to pick up, easy to share and don't require your attention to leave the screen. ‘When you're watching football, particularly during a major tournament, nobody wants to be cutting up a meal or balancing plates on their lap when a goal goes in.’ Mr Tomkins, runner-up in the 2021 series of Masterchef, added that many of the nation's favourite football foods are also packed with the flavours our brains naturally crave during exciting social occasions. Chicken wings are set to fuel the passions of England and Scotland fans watching the action  Onion rings are among American snacks proving popular with armchair football supporters  Hotdogs were the fifth most-popular choice of matchday foods, above sausage rolls He said: ‘Foods like wings, hotdogs, burgers, crisps and nachos all deliver that winning combination of salt, fat and bold flavours that people find incredibly satisfying. ‘They're comfort foods, they're sociable foods and they're foods that can sit in the middle of the table for everyone to dip into throughout the match. That's exactly why they've become synonymous with football viewing.’ The poll also revealed crucial moments when even snack food becomes the last thing on the majority of people’s minds, with 64pc having to put down their plates during a penalty shoot-out. However, more than a third (36pc) of people revealed they are still able to tuck into their snacks while spot-kicks are being taken. Masterchef finalist Mike Tomkins says top matchday snacks are popular because they are sociable foods which people can dip into while they watch the action  Matchday food can even spark tension within a household, the survey found. Almost three in ten of those quizzed (29pc) said they have a friend or family member who becomes territorial over their nibbles, while 18pc admitted they are personally known for guarding favourite snacks from fellow viewers. Dino's Famous Hotdogs, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 people, said the findings reflect a growing desire among fans to recreate the atmosphere of a stadium or fan zone amid the comfort of their own homes. A spokesperson for the American street food brand said: ‘As the UK gears up for another summer of football, it's clear that fans are turning their living rooms into matchday destinations. ‘From hotdogs and wings to pizzas, burgers and loaded fries, the foods people love most are the same foods associated with sporting occasions around the world. They bring people together, they're easy to share and they help create that sense of occasion that every big match deserves.’ In total, 82pc of those surveyed said they are planning to gather with friends and family during the tournament, hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico – with Scotland the first of the home nations to kick off against Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, followed by England against Croatia a week on Wednesday. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Britain’s top 20 footy snacks revealed: Nachos with cheese and salsa – 33% No comments have so far been submitted. 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