What Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and other professional footballers eat before a match
To put it lightly, footballers are a different breed built from stronger stuff than many, with the average running around 10km per game depending on their position.
And with game time, training, travelling, and recovery comes a proper fuelling strategy, with the likes of Erling Haaland apparently consuming a whopping 6,000 calories on a daily basis.
Unlike FIFA Men’s World Cup punters, who have been purchasing pretzels at a jaw-dropping price, most of the world’s heavyweight athletes will have nutrition teams behind them, building menus and making sure their clients are hitting goals for peak performance.
But that’s not to say that professional footballers don’t have a say in their day-to-day diet, with many opting for jaw-dropping meals before hitting the pitch, including spaghetti Bolognese sandwiches and other homemade pasta dishes.
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Here’s what some of your favourite sportspeople are consuming before taking to the pitch, including Harry Kane’s winning spread and Sam Kerr’s dinner-and-breakfast combination.
Erling Haaland
The man, the myth, the Viking himself is known to start games after chowing down on a famous lasagne made by his father and former footballer, Alf-Inge Haaland.
“That’s true, yeah,” he previously confirmed. "I score goals from it, so we have to continue with it.”
In 2022, former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola joked that he wanted the footballer’s father to cook the Italian-inspired dish for his entire squad if it really was the secret of his son’s success.
“We can make an offer so Erling’s father comes to cook for us. If this is the secret of Erling’s goals I’m going to convince [chairman] Khaldoon [Al Mubarak] to bring him here! But I think there’s not only one secret.”
Kylian Mbappe
Unlike Haaland and Kerr, France striker and adidas Golden Boot hopeful Kylian Mbappe likes to keep his pre-match breakfast traditional, opting for some boiled eggs with avocado.
According to Goal, he sometimes goes against the grain and opts for a sweet breakfast of almond butter and porridge.
Sam Kerr
It’s well documented that Sam Kerr, Australian football legend and one of Gotham FC’s newest signings, indulges in a spaghetti Bolognese sandwich before she hits the pitch.
“People think it's disgusting,” she once told Alex Scott on Football Focus.
Kerr has previously mentioned the dish in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, claiming she will also eat it the night before.
“It’s always been my pre-game ritual but also carb loading as an athlete, you have to get those carbs in.”
Harry Kane
England skipper Harry Kane is apparently likely to dig into a plate full of scrambled eggs and toast before hitting the pitch on Saturday, as per a former Three Lions head chef.
However, his teammates are apparently more likely to snack on beans on wholemeal toast, said nutritionist, Tim De’Ath.
“Most of the players I worked with loved a helping of beans on wholemeal toast, which was always served three hours before kick-off.
“They’ll stack up on protein before games with midfielders who do lots of running, normally eating more than other players to boost their energy levels.”
Sir Alan Shearer
Current BBC commentator and Newcastle United legend Sir Alan Shearer earned 63 caps for the England national team between 1992 and 2000.
During his time at Blackburn Rovers, the Geordie icon would famously eat chicken and baked beans before games. Yum.
Beth Mead
Two-time Women’s EURO winner Beth Mead is set to start her life as a Manchester City winger in the 2026/27 season, having been lured away from Arsenal after almost a decade to play for Andrée Jeglertz.
In an interview with Women’s Health, the England Lioness said her on-pitch success is down to an omelette with five toppings.
“I’m a creature of habit; I actually have the same thing most mornings. I should mix it up probably, but I have an omelette, I put in peppers, spinach, mushrooms, tomato, and a little bit of cheese.”
Vini Jr.
Before taking part in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, Vini Jr. was caught eating pineapple (as per Goal) - and this isn’t the first time.
In 2024, he was snapped chowing down on the tropical fruit before the Supercopa de España final against Barcelona, during which he proceeded to score a hat-trick.
Pineapple, packed with vitamin C, is a great source of fibre and contains manganese for strong bones.
But the real question is: can it really make you a goal machine like Vini Jr.?
Gareth Bale
Following the completion of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar, Welsh icon Gareth Bale hung up his boots for good.
During his heyday, the Ballon D’Or-nominated Welshman would apparently eat five slices of toast and a mountain of baked beans before hitting the pitch, as per Jermaine Jenas.
The broadcaster, who the BBC sacked following complaints about workplace conduct, said that Bale’s breakfast of champions was the ‘only meal’ he could ever remember looking at and ‘thinking why and how’.
World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick off times
Friday, 10 July
Quarter-final - Match 98: Spain vs Belgium, kick-off 8pm - Los Angeles, US
Saturday, 11 July
Quarter-final - Match 99: Norway vs England, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 12 July
Quarter-final - Match 100: Argentina vs Switzerland, kick-off 2am - Kansas City, US
Tuesday, 14 July
Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 8pm - Arlington, US
Wednesday, 15 July
Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 8pm - Atlanta, US
Saturday, 18 July
Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 10pm - Miami, US
Sunday, 19 July
Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 8pm - New Jersey, US
Ella Scott