• UK households waste 4.4 million tonnes of edible food a year which is enough to fill Wembley stadium eight times.
• With bread the third most wasted food in UK homes, football fans are encouraged to get creative with leftovers in internationally inspired matchday sandwiches, saving time and money this summer.

Running alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026,  Love Food Hate Waste  is launching its Leftover Line-up campaign. The campaign celebrates iconic sandwiches from around the world, reimagined as collectible football cards, and shows how leftover ingredients can become star players in creative breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes.

Households all over the UK will come together this summer to eat, drink and celebrate football at home with matches taking place later in the evenings. More than 40% of households are anticipating a spike in their grocery bill during the tournament as they pick up additional items, according to a new report by Shopmium. Love Food Hate Waste is encouraging households to use up all the food they buy by reinventing leftovers in delicious champion-worthy sarnies – helping them to save money, time, and the planet this World Cup.

WRAP's research shows that nearly 60% of food waste in the UK comes from our homes which is worth a huge £17.5bn. Meanwhile, on average, a household of four throws away over £1,000 worth of food that could have been eaten each year, and WRAP's latest insights shows that halving household food waste could put £10 back into every household, every week.

Each person in the UK, on average, wastes the equivalent of three meals per week and yet 80% of people believe they waste less food than the national average. This has a detrimental impact on the environment with 16 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions created in the UK from wasted food. It seems that many people simply don't acknowledge that they throw away food – Love Food Hate Waste encourages everyone to recognise household food waste prevention as an open goal for both saving money and minimising environmental impact.

Rosemary Brotchie, Senior Specialist at WRAP, said: "With the much-anticipated World Cup approaching, spontaneous feasting could lead to increased food waste, something that impacts both the planet and your wallet. Love Food Hate Waste is encouraging fans to 'go shopping in their kitchens first' and get inspired by our Leftover Line-Up campaign."

The Leftover Line-up means no extra time in the kitchen, no panic-buy meal deals or takeaways - just big flavours, clever saves and a full squad of easy leftover sandwich wins. Below are a few recipes inspired by the host nations USA, Canada and Mexico, but get in touch for more international recipes:

Coronation Chicken

It's coming home... in sandwich form. This England-inspired classic is a three lions-level performance for leftover chicken, turning post-match extras into tomorrow's easy win. Mix leftover chicken or chickpeas with mayo, curry powder, coriander and raisins, then pile into bread for a royal lunch. Don't like raisins? Leave them on the bench. Switch the protein, spice level or bread depending on what's in your squad. The best results come from using what you've already got at home.

Mexican Quesadilla

That's tomorrow's lunch wrapped up.  When the final whistle blows, give your leftovers a proper cup run with this Mexican-inspired quesadilla. Crispy on the outside, packed with flavour through the middle and ready faster than their defence. Load up a tortilla wrap with cheese, black beans or leftover chilli, plus any mixed veg waiting on the bench in your fridge. Fold, toast in a pan and take home the win. No black beans? Make a tactical sub. No mixed veg? Play what's in your squad. This lineup works with whatever leftovers are match fit.

Sloppy Joe

This USA-inspired classic is messy, mighty and guaranteed to put your leftovers in the top corner. Pile a burger bun high with gherkin, onion, green pepper and leftover chilli or yesterday's burgers chopped, finished with ketchup for the winning touch. No burger buns? Different bread still gets the result. Chuck in whatever veg needs using up and give those leftovers a second-half comeback.

French Toast

That's your petit-dejeuner Zinedine Zi-done. Sweet, savoury and ready for a late winner, this French-inspired leftover hero can smash breakfast, lunch or post-match snacking. Dip bread into egg and milk, fry until golden, then top with syrup, bacon and banana for a lineup worthy of the big stage. No bacon? Make a tactical switch. Different toppings, breads or extras all deserve a call-up.

Food Waste Minister Mary Creagh said: "With families and friends gathering to support England at the World Cup, we'll be tucking in to homemade burgers and sensational sides. I encourage everyone to support the 'Love Food, Hate Waste' campaign and love their leftovers as Harry Kane leads the Three Lions out to their date with destiny. Tackling food waste means more money for drinks and helps our planet."

LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE

Launched in the UK in 2007, Love Food Hate Waste aims to radically reduce the amount of food wasted in homes, through simple, practical actions. Underpinned by robust data and behavioural insight, the campaign convenes partners including national and local governments, NGOs and business and runs Food Waste Action Week – the international week focused on tackling food waste.