Delivery slots will be accessible through Waitrose's partnerships with platforms Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat
Waitrose has announced it will extend its delivery hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over the next four weeks, the supermarket will operate under extended on-demand grocery delivery hours to help fans stay stocked up on supplies.
Eats and Just Eat
The World Cup is taking place in North America, meaning the vast majority of matches are at unusually late hours for the UK.
Tonight's game between England and Ghana, for example, kicks-off at 9pm.
Waitrose said more than 50 Waitrose stores nationwide, spanning England and Scotland, "ensuring customers can access quality fresh food and snacks throughout the night from snacks and pizzas to full breakfast ingredients for the following morning".
England and Ghana
Orders placed during England's opening match against Croatia last Wednesday and ahead of Scotland's fixture against Morocco on Friday evening surged by 17%, Waitrose revealed.
Delivery slots will be accessible through Waitrose's partnerships with platforms Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.
Alcoholic beverages will not be available during the extended delivery period, and branches will not be open for longer hours either.
Why it matters
Laura Burbedge, director of online for Waitrose, said: "Whether you're glued to the screen for a midnight thriller, need a snack to sustain you through a penalty shoot-out or up with the lark for a pre-dawn kick-off, footy fans will have everything they need at hand.
"We're making sure that whether you need a half-time pizza or a full breakfast spread to celebrate the final whistle, our delivery partners are on hand to keep your fridge stocked throughout the tournament."
Tonights match is scheduled to kick off at 9:00pm BST (4pm local time in Boston).
What to expect
Both teams enter the fixture on the back of opening-match victories -- England defeated Croatia 4-2, while Ghana secured a 1-0 win over Panama -- making this a crucial clash for control of Group L.
It will be shown on BBC One, with coverage starting at kick-off time.
It will also be available on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
ensuring customers can access quality fresh food and snacks throughout the night from snacks and pizzas to full breakfast ingredients for the following morning
Why this lands now
Retail decisions rarely happen all at once. What looks like a sudden change of direction is usually the visible end of months of testing, costing and quiet negotiation behind the scenes.
Key takeaways
- Delivery slots will be accessible through Waitrose's partnerships with platforms Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat
- Waitrose has announced it will extend its delivery hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Over the next four weeks, the supermarket will operate under extended on-demand grocery delivery hours to help fans stay stocked up on supplies
- The World Cup is taking place in North America, meaning the vast majority of matches are at unusually late hours for the UK
- Waitrose said more than 50 Waitrose stores nationwide, spanning England and Scotland, "ensuring customers can access quality fresh food and snacks throughout the night from snacks and pizzas to full breakfast ingredients for the following morning"
Questions worth asking
What should you know about Eats and Just Eat?
Delivery slots will be accessible through Waitrose's partnerships with platforms Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat.
What happens next?
Waitrose has announced it will extend its delivery hours during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The bottom line
None of this settles the wider question. It does make one thing harder to ignore: the pressure in the food industry has shifted, and others will have to respond to it.