World Cup fans swap traditional burgers and sausages for Christmas party food as they stock up for the tournament

World Cup footie fans are swapping their traditional burgers and sausages for tempura prawns and other Christmas party food to snack on during the four week soccer tournament.

Tesco is already seeing an earlier than normal high demand for its festive party food treats as a result of the tournament taking place in the winter and not, as usual, during the summer months.

The top five party food lines for the World Cup, based on early demand are:

Pigs In Blankets

Tempura prawns

Frozen Mozzarella Sticks

Chilled Mini Duck Spring Rolls

Chilled Cheese and Bacon Loaded Skins

Other predicted World Cup food and drink sales across the whole tournament include:

Christmas party food – Over 13 million packs

Nearly 8 million pizzas

Nearly 3.5 million pies

Nearly 2 million packs of peanuts

5 million bottles/cans/packs of beer

Over 16 million bottles of wine

8 million bottles of fizz

22 million packs of crisps

Tesco party food buyer Natalie Linden said: “In the past with World Cups taking place in June and July it’s always usually BBQ favourites such as burgers and sausages that top football fans’ shopping lists. 

“But with this tournament being nearer Christmas for the first time ever, it’s pigs in blankets and tempura prawns that are going to be the new hero foods.”