A SEVEN-mussel portion of moules marinieres may not match the usual generosity of the Belgians, but thanks to soccer fever such exotic fare has transformed school lunches in World Cup host city Saitama.

Inspired by participating nations in this year’s JapanKorea finals, Saitama city has started an internationally flavoured, once-a-week treat for 86 elementary and 47 junior high schools in the area.

With a budget per head of a mere pound;1.50, some corners had to be cut. But as Yoshifusa Ishikawa of Saitama city’s sports planning division insists, the schools get as close to the original cuisine of the 24 World Cup finalists as possible. Researchers scoured ethnic restaurants and each finalist’s embassy was consulted.

Ireland is represented by “fried” fish and colcannon, a potato and cabbage dish. The British menu promises chicken soup followed by shepherd’s pie. More exotic fare, courtesy of Saudi Arabia and Cameroon, is served up in the form of cous cous with peanut salad, followed by a mango pudding. Schools buy their own ingredients and the food is cooked in their kitchens by cafeteria staff.

Saitama children, whose usual lunch consists of traditional rice-based meals akin to sushi, are said to be delighted with the choices. So far the favourite menus have been “anything that resembles a curry and, of course, Korean food which has always been popular in Japan”, said Ishikawa.

England face Sweden in Saitama in June, but as yet there are no reports of a battered sausage or spotted dick in sight.