The options are many: you could host a garden screening, gather friends around the TV or just use it as an excuse to open a few bottles and eat crisps in the name of sport. Any which way, a World Cup party is one of summer's easiest entertaining wins. The formula is simple: plenty of snacks, cold drinks, comfortable seating and just enough football-themed decoration to create an atmosphere. Here's how to pull it off.
The Snacks
The golden rule? Nobody wants a knife and fork during a tense second half.
Chicken Caesar Sliders
Delish
These crowd-pleasing sliders combine all that we love about classic Caesar salad with the hand-held convenience of a burger bun. Genius, no? Packed with juicy chicken, crisp lettuce and a creamy Caesar dressing, they're easy to make ahead and ideal for serving during the match.
Get The Recipe.
Spicy Honey & Herb Nuts
Gordon Ramsay Academy
A sophisticated upgrade on the standard bowl of peanuts, these sweet, spicy and fragrant nuts are dangerously moreish. Coated in honey, herbs and warming spices, they make the perfect pre-match nibble alongside a cold beer or spritz. Prepare a double batch – we guarantee you'll need it.
Get The Recipe.
Nachos
BBC
No World Cup party would be complete without a mountain of nachos. Layered with melted cheese and all your favourite toppings, they are the ultimate sharing dish for grazing throughout the game. Serve straight from the oven and watch as guests descend.
Get The Recipe.
Sticky Chicken
BBC Good Food
Finger food doesn't get much better than sticky chicken, Henry VIII vibes and all. Coated in a glossy, sweet-and-savoury glaze, these juicy bites are packed with flavour and satisfyingly messy to eat. Keep plenty of napkins at hand and enjoy.
Get The Recipe.
Easy Fruit-Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches
Serious Eats
We defy anyone not to squeal with delight at the sight of these refreshing summer match-day treats. Creamy vanilla ice cream with fruity swirls and soft cookies: what’s not to love? They're fun, nostalgic and can be made well in advance, leaving you free to enjoy the game. Perfect for cooling down after a tense ninety minutes.
Get The Recipe.
The Drinks
A good, cold beer or lager is, of course, the obvious choice. But if you want to mix it up, these are the summer drinks that we’ll happily clink when it comes to celebrating or, whisper it, commiserating. If you’re hosting a big crowd, fill galvanised tubs or garden trugs with ice and let guests help themselves.
Rose-y Spritz
Waitrose
Light and sparkling, this elegant spritz brings together rosé wine with bubbles and seasonal fruit – the happiest of combos. Refreshing rather than overly sweet, serve generously over ice.
Get the recipe.
Mango Margarita
Delish
A tropical twist on the classic margarita, this sunshine-filled cocktail brings together much goodness in the form of sweet mango with tequila and fresh lime. Vibrant, fruity and guaranteed to please a crowd, it feels like a holiday in a glass.
Get the recipe.
Paloma Cocktail
Love & Lemons
Mexico's best beloved tequila cocktail for the win: crisp, citrusy and wonderfully refreshing. Combining grapefruit, lime and tequila, it’s a lighter alternative to a margarita while still packing a massive flavour punch.
Get the recipe.
Frozen Watermelon Margarita
BBC Good Food
Who doesn’t love a bit of cooling watermelon on a warm day? This one is part cocktail, part grown-up slushie, and, as such, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser on hot summer days. The combo of sweet watermelon, lime and tequila is refreshing and, yes, alarmingly easy to drink. Keep a blender close by for repeat rounds.
Get the recipe.
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Tesco
For smaller fans and the alcohol-free bigger ones, whip up a batch of this fresh, zingy and endlessly adaptable, homemade lemonade, which is classic for a reason. Serve it over plenty of ice, garnish with mint and lemon slices, and offer it as a refreshing option for guests of all ages.
Get the recipe.
