Taste the 2026 World Cup in NYC: Fan foods from Groups G, H and I

Food, soccer and samba: the World Cup is already on the streets and screens of New York City. Across the five boroughs, fans are gathering in family-run spots and neighborhood restaurants to watch matches and share familiar game-day dishes. Some match-day staples and where to find them include Belgium’s moules-frites and bitterballen at Belgian BXL; Egypt’s salted sunflower seeds, roasted nuts and bread with tahini showcased at Sabry’s in Astoria; and Persepolis on the Upper East Side for Persian fare like shallot dip and sunflower seeds.

For a Kiwi touch, Dudley’s on the Lower East Side offers fish and chips with Australian and New Zealand flair, while La Nacional in Chelsea serves Spanish tapas alongside soccer on TV. Other highlights range from Cabo Verdean pastéis, bafas and Strela beer at September Cafe in Brooklyn to Saudi favorites such as mango juice and shawarma in Bay Ridge, where Yemeni Restaurant/Café & Restaurant serves Saudi-inspired dishes.

United States, New York City

world cup, nyc, fan foods, moules-frites, bitterballen, sabry's, persepolis, la nacional, shawarma, strela beer