With the World Cup predicted to see sales in the nation’s favourite food rise, the team behind National Pizza Week have looked at the top 10 most unusual toppings from some of the world cup nations.
The World Cup has kicked off and 32 teams are in the line-up to win the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
And what better way to watch matches play out than getting the tournament on the big screen, cheering on your chosen team (or your sweepstake winner!) and eating slices of delicious pizza.
Here’s just a handful of the most unusual toppings from some of the world cup nations.
Sweden Goes Bananas
Banana Curry Pizza is a regular option on many Swedish pizza menus, and whilst it might seem strange to us, it’s considered a classic in Sweden. One place known for its delicious banana curry pizza is Stockholm’s Formaggio Pizzeria.
The sweetness of the banana, combined with a mix of spice from the curry, gives this pizza a sweet, salty, smoky flavour not unlike ham and pineapple – it really shouldn’t work, but it does!

Costa Ricans are Crazy For Coconut
Yes, you read that right – coconut is a common pizza topping in Costa Rica.
Topping a savoury pizza with sweetened coconut flakes creates a sweet and salty combination that is similar to the classic Hawaiian style pizza.
In Costa Rica, it’s often combined with shrimp and is considered delicious and widely ordered.
Netherlands Warm to Shawarma
Shawarma may originally hail from the Middle East, but it’s actually the Netherlands that claims this unusual choice as a favourite pizza topping. They’ve adopted this thinly sliced meat topping as a takeaway favourite and, whilst lamb is the preferred topping choice, chicken and mixed meat shawarma are also popular.

Japan Dives in with Squid and Shrimp Seafood Flavours
Japan dives in to the ocean for their pizza toppings of choice. Anchovies and tuna are regulars on pizza in the UK (although not to everyone’s liking), but the Japanese are slightly more adventurous, choosing squid and shrimp to top their pizzas with a true seafood feast.
Australians are Wild for Crocodile
It’s might be an unusual choice, but Australians have been known to choose crocodile as one of their more adventurous pizza toppings. With hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews rating crocodile pizza at the Australian Heritage Hotel as delicious, it’s become something of a speciality.

The Coat of Arms pizza, also served up at the Australian Heritage Hotel in Sydney, takes it one step further with kangaroo and emu toppings – this pie is a 50/50 tribute to the two of the countries most iconic animals creatures.
Brazil Mix It Up with Green Peas
Green peas are a very popular vegetable in Brazil and often appear on pizzas, along with raisins, carrots and even quail eggs.
Choosing veggies on your pizza isn’t strange, but typically it’s more mainstream choices like onions, olives, tomatoes and peppers. The Brazilians have taken it further (and healthier) with a liberal sprinkling of peas – it’s one way to get your kids to eat their greens!

Germany Gets Fishy with Canned Tuna
In Germany, canned tuna is a popular pizza topping, often mixed with onions, olives and other vegetables.
Fish on pizza isn’t new or strange but, whilst tuna might not be one of the most popular pizza toppings in the UK, it charts much higher in Germany. A pizza topped with tuna, an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids, could well be considered a healthier option especially when combined with the vitamins from the accompanying veggies.
Canada Loves a Cheese and Gravy Poutine Pizza
One of Canada’s favourite dishes is its poutine, made up of french fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. Originating in Quebec in the 1950s, it’s become widespread across the world.
Pizza Hut Canada even released a limited-edition Cheesy Beef Poutine Pizza – topped with crispy french fries, melty cheese curds and thick, dark gravy.

USA Goes Classic Carnival with Corn Dog Pizza
The USA also has a unique take on pizza and goes full-on carnival mode with the Corn Dog Pizza. The classic corn dog is a hot dog on a stick, which is then battered and deep-fried. The Minnesota State Fair in particular, sells a pizza topped with halved corn dogs – double-carb deliciousness.
England Embrace Breakfast with The Full English
If you thought cold pizza for breakfast was the only way to combine breakfast and pizza, you’re wrong!
Brits stick to their roots and keep it traditional even down to their pizza toppings. The Full English breakfast pizza comes complete with sausages, bacon, eggs, black pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes and even baked beans.

Qatar Style it Up with Cone Crust Pizzas
Host of this year’s World Cup, Qatar, doesn’t have a specific topping, but in fact a different style of pizza entirely.
The Cone Crust Pizza is a huge favourite in the UAE and Qatar – each “cone” comes stuffed with honey mustard chicken or cream cheese. Originally sold via Pizza Hut Middle East, it’s been discontinued but if you hunt locally, you might still find this unusual delicacy.
The Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association (PAPA) is holding its second annual week-long pizza party from November 21st – November 27th and everyone is invited! National Pizza Week celebrates pizza in all its cheesy, gooey, glory and is an homage to the nation’s favourite meal – in fact, according to our ‘deep-pan-alysis’, UK consumers spend over £5 billion on pizzas every year with over 80% purchased from restaurants and takeaways.