Philly cheesesteak outranks New York pizza in a new World Cup food study
The study placed the Philly cheesesteak at number five, outranking New York pizza by a long shot.
What are the foods that tourists are looking forward to trying on their trip to North America for the World Cup? Apparently, the Philly cheesesteak is way up there, even higher than tacos in LA or Cuban sandwiches in Miami.
Canada Sports Betting published the “Ultimate World Cup 2026 Food Guide: What to Eat in Every Host City” on June 15. The study placed the Philly cheesesteak at number five, outranking New York pizza by a long shot.
With the 2026 World Cup spanning 16 host cities across three countries, writer Amy Harris found a tour of 16 “completely different food cultures” for this guide. Canada Sports Betting scored the “hero” dish of every host city based on source frequency, local support, tourist recognition, city-specificity, and cultural significance. The result: a ranking of the most unique city-specific dishes.
The Philly cheesesteak nailed the number five ranking.
In Philadelphia, “the cheesesteak … defines the city’s entire culinary reputation internationally,” Harris wrote. The iconic sandwich with “shaved ribeye on a hoagie roll with Whiz, provolone, or American was invented by Pat Olivieri in South Philadelphia in 1930,” she continued. “Locals will tell you DiNic’s roast pork at Reading Terminal Market is actually the city’s best sandwich. That internal argument is part of what makes Philadelphia interesting.“
The cheesesteak is, for better or worse, depending on your point of view, number three on the Inquirer’s 76 iconic foods, with only one other sandwich surpassing it — the hoagie.
“The cheesesteak, much like the city in which it was invented, is a working-class sandwich,“ wrote Inquirer reporter Tommy Rowan. “Its rugged beauty is in its simplicity.“
Guadalajara’s torta ahogada landed in first place, followed by the Viet-Cajun crawfish in Houston. Cabrito al pastor — young goat roasted over live coals — from Monterrey came in third; and the burnt ends — charred tips of a smoked brisket point — from Kansas nailed fourth.
And all the way in 15th place: New York pizza.
“New York ranks 15th not because its food is unremarkable, but because its most iconic dish has become the world’s most replicated food,” Harris wrote. “New York pizza is made everywhere from Tokyo to Nairobi. That is a consequence of the city’s cultural influence, not a failure of its food.”
But a great cheesesteak? Sorry, you have to come to Philly for that.
