Brits baffled by World Cup spectators' bizarre pitchside meals
Topics: News, Social Media
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: News, Social Media
British football fans are known to be partial to a pie, a punnet of salty chips, or a burger. However, unlike what we’ve already seen in America, we’re probably going to eat the treats on the go or from our laps, not at a table whilst the match unfolds.
But that’s exactly what cameras caught during England’s 3-0 warm-up game against Costa Rica, with pitchside fans drinking beer, soda, and digging into what appeared to be layered salads.
The pre-FIFA World Cup friendly, which took place in Orlando at the Inter&Co Stadium, saw Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions putting three past Patrick Sequeira, with Anthony Gordon, Declan Rice, and Ollie Watkins all on the scoresheet.
The match served as the 26-man team’s final public game before it begins its Group L bout against Croatia on 17 June, with matches against Ghana and Panama to follow.
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In the 15th minute of the soon-to-be emphatic win, Rice headed to take a corner, with the ITV camera panning to the Arsenal star.
Viewers were greeted with a bizarre scene unfurling behind the advertising board: a group of fans watching the game and eating food around various tables.
"Americans have built-in dinner tables at the footy,” one baffled fan wrote.
Another said: "WAIT, THEY HAVE DINNER TABLES IN THE FRONT ROW. USA WORLD CUP IS A JOKE.”
Why were there people eating at tables by the corner flag ffs 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/px5s3qwzy3
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) June 11, 2026
"Fans eating burger and fries with a beer next to the corner flag. Don't ask why the atmosphere is so s***,” a third added.
Someone else added: “Are they playing in a Wetherspoons? Tables behind the corner flag.”
One other quipped: "Wtf is modern day football?”
McDonald’s is celebrating the Men’s World Cup, which commenced on 11 June, by announcing a sports-themed collaboration with Squishmallows.
Each Happy Meal features one of the dinky characters kitted out in unique tournament-style jerseys.
There are more than 20 to collect, including three mascots from all three home nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Those who believe they are a little bit too old to adopt the adorable toys can opt for the McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Meal instead.
Choose a medium or large meal with a Big Mac, nine-piece Chicken Nuggets, or McPlant burger and recieve one of six exclusive tumblers featuring some of men’s footballs’ most famous faces.
Sir David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Christian Pulisic, Son Heung-min and Ronaldinho all feature alongside long-time McDonald’s mascot, Grimace.
“At McDonald’s, magic happens when friends and fans come together and celebrate with the people they love,” said Global chief marketing officer and head of new business ventures at McDonald’s, Morgan Flatley.
“Partnering with the FIFA World Cup 26 allows us to take that shared joy and bring it to life at a global scale through our food, our experience, and the ways fans connect with the game.
“As football icons take the field to unite fans across continents, McDonald’s will be there with limited-time meals and keepsakes so fans can be part of the excitement all tournament long and beyond.”
A handful of exclusive World Cup-inspired products have also launched at the chain, such as burgers, sides, and frozen sweet treats.
These include: