Kid-Friendly Snacks for Your FIFA World Cup Watch Party

This summer, the FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle, and people are already making plans. Superfans may have managed to score tickets to a game (if that’s you, congrats!), but if not, you can join the other 6 billion people (yeah, you read that right) around the world who are expected to engage with the 2026 World Cup through TV, digital streaming, social media and FIFA platforms.

And what do all those media viewers need while they watch their favorite teams play? Snacks, of course! So if you are planning to host or attend a watch party for one of the six matches that will be played in Seattle (or one of the 98 played elsewhere) I’ve taken care of the snack planning for you.

Snack ideas for your FIFA World Cup watch party

When planning your game-day spread, keep three simple things in mind:

• Keep it simple
• Keep it grab-able
• Include proteins

Fruits and veggies

Keep your snack table bright, colorful and healthy with a variety of fruits and veggies. They are quick and easy to prepare, and you can find a variety that is sure to please everyone. Here are some creative ideas for your fruit and veggie tray:

Orange slices. Slice up the quintessential soccer game sideline snacks. Arrange them on a tray if you are feeling fancy, throw down a gallon-sized ziplock bag full of slices if you are feeling nostalgic.

Put it on a stick. Why will kids eat anything on a stick? No one knows, yet, it is universally true. Keep the soccer theme going by grabbing a melon baller and putting colorful balls of watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew on a skewer or toothpick. Easy to grab, healthy and tasty. The trifecta, achieved.

Team colors and local flavors. If you are cheering for a particular team, try incorporating their team colors or fruits from each county into your snack spread. The teams that are currently scheduled to play the six games in Seattle are the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Australia, Qatar, Egypt and Iran. (It is unclear if the Iranian team will come due to the war. At the time of publication FIFA has not made any official changes to the game schedule.) Here are a few fruits and veggies for each team:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Local fruits: plums
  • Team colors: blue and yellow
    • Blue: blueberries, purple carrots, purple cauliflower
    • Yellow: yellow peppers, yellow tomatoes, squash, corn
• Belgium
  • Local fruits: pears, strawberries and apples
  • Team colors: red, yellow, black
    • Red: cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers
    • Yellow: yellow bell peppers, corn, yellow squash
    • Black: black olives
• Australia
  • Local fruits: Kakadu plum
  • Team colors: green and gold
    • Green: cucumber slices, snap peas, broccoli
    • Gold/yellow: yellow bell peppers, corn, roasted sweet potatoes
• Qatar
  • Local fruits: dates (the national fruit)
  • Team colors: maroon
    • beets (serve as beet chips)
    • red cabbage (served as a shredded cabbage slaw)
• Egypt
  • Local fruit: mangoes
  • Team colors: red, white and black
    • Red: tomatoes, red peppers, raspberries
    • White: cauliflower, jicama
    • Black: black olives
• Iran
  • Local fruit: pomegranates
  • Team colors: green, white and red
    • Green: cucumbers, green beans, sugar snap peas
    • White: cauliflower, daikon radish
    • Red: tomatoes, red apple slices, strawberries

Proteins

Fruits and veggies might be healthy and pretty, but unless you want your guests going from soccer fans to soccer hooligans, you’ll want to have some protein options too.

Soccer ball rolls and hummus. Hummus is a tried-and-true snack table fave. It’s easy and inexpensive to make, or you can buy it premade at almost any grocery store. It will go great with your team-colored veggies, or be the perfect spread for these super cute soccer ball rolls.

I used a basic dough recipe that I’ve used for years, and a soccer ball cookie cutter. These are quick to make, and taste best when eaten relatively soon after baking. So whip up this simple dough and put your kids on cookie-cutter duty!

Soccer ball bread dough

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• 5 tablespoons of butter
• ¾ cup milk

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Combine the flour, baking powder and butter (I like to soften the butter in the microwave so it’s easier to mix together.).
• Pour in the milk and stir until just combined. The dough will be sticky, not smooth.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, push it together a few times if needed.
• Sprinkle with flour and roll out until it’s about ¼-inch thick.
• Cut out soccer ball shapes with cookie cutter, place shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes until the bottoms are light brown.

Popcorn chicken or tofu bites. Perfectly pop-able and crunchy popcorn chicken or tofu bites are sure to be a hit with soccer fans of all ages. Fry the seasoned chicken or tofu bites in oil, bake them in the oven or toss them in the air fryer. Either way, you’ll get a tasty, crunchy treat that will help you keep your energy up as you scream, “Gooooal!”

Cheese. Vegetarians and picky eaters alike will sigh with relief at the sight of a good cheese platter at any gathering. Take out that soccer ball cookie cutter and you’ll have an on-theme snack in no time. Make sure to have a selection of soft and hard, stinky and mild so everyone can find their perfect slice or wedge. Add a few boxes of crackers, sliced baguette or some of your soccer ball rolls and you are all set.

No-bake protein balls. These easy treats come together quickly, are perfectly sweet and delicious and packed with protein. Make up a few batches ahead of time and keep them in the freezer or fridge, and bring them out on game day as needed (chilling helps them keep their shape, but even when they are crumbly they are delish).

This is the recipe I use, which I got from my mom. You can get fancy and add other things (cranberries, nuts, etc.) but I like to keep it simple.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups oats
• 1 cup peanut butter
• ½ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips (or more, because when is 1 cup ever enough)

Instructions:

• Combing all ingredients together.
• Chill in fridge for 30 minutes.
• Roll into tablespoon sized balls, place on parchment.
• I like to keep these in the freezer, helps them keep their shape and they are really good cold.

Pig in a blanket. Easier to eat in a crowd than an actual hot dog, more filling than just a roll. The pig in a blanket hits that sweet (or should I say savory) snack spot. This is a great one to make using some quick cheat ingredients — premade croissant dough that comes in the can, which for some reason needs to explode to open (makes me jump every time). Simply separate the dough triangles, roll each one around a hotdog and pop them in the oven on a baking sheet (follow the instructions on the can, make sure to read them before it blows up). Making a vegetarian version could not be simpler: Use veggie hot dogs instead — that’s it. Make sure you have a few types of mustard, ketchup or other sauces on hand for dipping.

Sweet snacks

Soccer dirt cups. These require a little more prep, but it is a great opportunity to get the kids involved. And what kid doesn’t love to pretend to eat dirt! Start by filling a small clear plastic cup about two-thirds full of chocolate pudding. Sprinkle some crushed up Oreos on top, then add green-tinted shredded coconut to give the look of a turf soccer pitch. Add a small round cookie or chocolate to stand in as the soccer ball. Pull these out at half time for a fun distraction while you wait for the soccer action to resume.

Try making a dessert from one of the countries playing in the match you are watching. It’s a great way to expand your taste buds and encourage kids to try something new. Here is a dessert to try from each of the countries playing a World Cup match in Seattle:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Their desserts are known for focusing on rich, syrup-soaked pastries and dairy-based sweets. Baklava has a special place here and is often eaten on special occasions such as weddings and holidays, though you are also likely to find people enjoying it with a cup of coffee. Baklava is made by layering filo pastry with crushed nuts (usually walnuts or pistachios), honey and a generous amount of sugar syrup.
• Belgium: Known for their yummy dessert scene, try making some Liège waffles for your watch party. These chewy, sweet waffles are made from a dough enriched with sugar which caramelizes during cooking. They are sweet enough to eat plain, or sprinkle with powdered sugar for an extra dusting of yum.
• Australia: Google, “popular kids dessert Australia” and you are sure to be met with Fairy Bread. The good news is, this treat is super simple to prepare. Simply put butter on slices of white bread and top with as many colorful sprinkles as humanly possible. Cut the slices diagonally to make triangles if you are feeling fancy, and make sure you have a plan for the kids to run off their energy from the impending sugar explosion!
• Qatar: Kunafa is a crunchy, buttery dessert made with shredded pastry layers that is popular throughout the Middle East. You can find many versions and varieties, sometimes stuffed with cheese, while other recipes fill it with a thick pudding or nut mixture. While this dessert is more involved than Fairy Bread, you can make the syrup and milk pudding ahead of time, which can be kept in the fridge for up to five days (the syrup will last for months), cutting down your game-day prep time.
• Egypt: Zalabia are essentially doughnuts with honey and are famous in Egypt, especially during Ramadan. Made with just a few simple ingredients, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, bite-sized zalabia is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
• Iran: Faloodeh is made with semi-frozen rice noodles with sweet and sour flavors and floral notes of rosewater, and is found in just about every ice cream shop in Iran. It is very refreshing on a hot afternoon, and is often served with saffron or pistachio ice cream or a lime wedge to squeeze onto the frozen noodles. It is also common to top your faloodeh with sour cherries and a drizzle of sour cherry syrup.

So set out the snacks, gather your crew and enjoy the cheers, the goals and the memories you’re creating together.

Game day setup tips

A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your FIFA watch party fun (and low-stress) for everyone.

• Choose a smart snack zone: Set up your food table away from the main TV traffic so kids aren’t constantly crossing in front of the screen during big plays. A side table or kitchen island works well, giving everyone easy access without creating a bottleneck.
• Pick the right serving ware: Paper goods can make cleanup a breeze, especially for larger groups or younger kids. If you prefer real plates, consider using sturdier, smaller ones to help with portion control and reduce spills.
• Keep messes in check: Opt for easy-to-grab, low-drip snacks (think finger foods over saucy dishes), and use cupcake liners or small cups to portion out treats. Placing a few napkin stacks within kids’ reach also helps minimize sticky situations.
• Plan your cleanup strategy ahead of time: Set out clearly marked trash and recycling bins where guests can easily find them, and do a quick tidy at halftime to stay ahead of the mess. A tablecloth (especially a wipeable or disposable one) can make post-game cleanup as simple as a quick gather-and-go.