England landed in Florida with a $1.4 billion squad and immaculate vibes — and their pre-match meal of choice is beans on toast. Seriously. Actual baked beans, three hours before kickoff. Every game.

England has arrived in Florida. The squad is stacked. Harry Kane is scoring for fun in the Bundesliga. Jude Bellingham just won La Liga with Real Madrid. And their pre-match meal of choice is… beans on toast.

England players during a team meal at the training camp

The Baked Bean Doctrine

According to The Sun, England's nutrition team has designed a rotating menu built around a core tradition: toast with baked beans in tomato sauce. It's been the squad's go-to pre-match fuel for over a decade, and under Thomas Tuchel's regime, nothing has changed.

A source inside the camp told reporters: multiple England starters genuinely believe "eat beans, score goals." It's not superstition — it's dietary ritual.

Former England head chef and nutritionist Tim De'Ath, who served the team for 12 years, confirmed the tradition is alive and well:

Most players loved whole-wheat toast with baked beans, served exactly three hours before kickoff.

Everybody Eats Beans. Except Kane.

Harry Kane skips the beans entirely. His pre-match ritual is toast with scrambled eggs — another high-protein, easily digestible option that has served him well across 400+ career goals.

Midfielders — who cover the most ground — reportedly eat larger portions than other positions, sometimes by a significant margin.

Chef preparing the England squad's pre-match meal

The Snack Drawer Is Legendary

Cadbury chocolate (multiple varieties — not negotiable)
Haribo Starmix (the universal currency of Premier League dressing rooms)
Multiple blends of English breakfast tea
Professional energy gels (for players who've moved past the Haribo phase)

De'Ath explained: "When you're away from home for up to seven weeks, familiar food isn't optional. It's psychological survival."

Training ground meal setup showing player nutrition

The Florida Heat Changes Everything

In 90°F+ (32°C+) heat and humidity, players can lose 5+ pounds (2.3 kg) of sweat weight in a single match. Tuchel's staff adjusted post-match recovery:

Immediate rehydration (water + electrolytes)
High-carb refueling (pizza, pasta, rice)
Blood sugar stabilization (Haribo or energy gels)

Off the Pitch: Netflix, FIFA, and Darts

The camp includes a screening room, a gaming lounge with FIFA, pool tables, dart boards, and padel courts — the theory being a squad that hangs out together wins together, or at least avoids cabin fever before the quarterfinals.

England players relaxing in the camp recreation area

The Bottom Line

England's World Cup strategy, summarized: baked beans for fuel, Harry Kane for goals, Haribo for morale. Tuchel's first group-stage test is Croatia on June 18. The beans will be ready at 2:00 PM EST sharp.

Sometimes the secret weapon is the thing nobody takes seriously — ask Sir Alex Ferguson about Jaffa Cakes.

Key Takeaways

The Baked Bean Doctrine

Everybody Eats Beans. Except Kane.

The Snack Drawer Is Legendary

The Florida Heat Changes Everything

Off the Pitch: Netflix, FIFA, and Darts

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

What do England players eat before World Cup 2026 matches?

Does Harry Kane eat baked beans before games?

Why baked beans for footballers?

How does England handle Florida heat at the World Cup?

When is England's first World Cup 2026 match?

world cup nutrition

England's Secret World Cup Weapon? Baked Beans on Toast