Argentina, Uruguay Take 4,000 Pounds Of Meat To World Cup

The national football teams of Argentina and Uruguay have each taken 2,000 pounds of meat (900 kilos) with them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

Argentina and Uruguay, two countries that are among the biggest consumers of meat on the planet, landed in Qatar with over 4000 pounds (2,000 pounds each) of meat with them to take to the FIFA World Cup. This is so that the players and staff can have a taste of home during the tournament in Qatar, ESPN reported.

The National Institute of Meat (INAC) in Uruguay reached an agreement with the Uruguay FA (AUF) earlier this month to supply the meat for the team during the World Cup.

"The national team is being accompanied by the best nourishment," AUF president Ignacio Alonso said. "The AUF is a historic ambassador of our country and will take with it another ambassador, which is Uruguayan meat, the best meat in the world."

The asado, which is made of different cuts of meats and sausages and cooked on a grill, is considered one the most popular dishes in both countries. The national teams of Uruguay and Argentina also made asados in recent World Cups, the Sporting News reported.

"The mate [special tea], the asado [meat], and football go together in Uruguay and are part of our culture," INAC president Conrado Ferber said. "We want to convey the quality of the product, natural and sustainable, and the World Cup is the optimal time to do so."

After landing in Qatar, Uruguay's national team already made their first asado in Abu Dhabi's luxurious Park Hyatt Hotel where they are staying. Aldo Cauteruccio, the chef of Uruguay's national team, was in charge of the barbecue.

Meanwhile, team Argentina celebrated the win over the United Arab Emirates with an asado.

"My favourite food is the asado, but it's more than that," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "It creates an atmosphere of union and collective chemistry."

"It's part of our culture, of the Argentine idiosyncrasy. It's during that time that we get to talk, to laugh, relax and connect...It's not necessarily about the meat, although we love it. It's to be part of a group and the connection that it generates," he added.

Team Argentina begins their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Meanwhile, Uruguay kicks off their World Cup campaign two days later in a match against South Korea.