Choripán and football are the same thing in Argentina. You can’t have one without the other.
From the ‘78 World Cup to Qatar 2022, choripán was the star at every match, every shout, every celebration. There were legendary choripanes, price scandals, and even historic shortages that almost caused riots.
This is the complete history of choripán at World Cups. With prices, stories, and that time a fan crossed half of Doha looking for Argentine chimichurri.
1978 World Cup: The Championship Choripán
Argentina Champion at Home
During the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, choripán was the star at every match of the national team.
Choripán price at River: $15 pesos (1978 currency)
2026 equivalent: $4,500 ARS ($4.50 USD)
The scene:
- Carts outside the Monumental
- 2-hour line for a chori
- 45,000 choripanes sold during the tournament
- Record: 8,000 in the Argentina 6 - Peru 0 match
The Legendary Story
César Luis Menotti (Argentina’s coach) forbade the players from eating choripán during camp.
Kempes: “We would sneak out at 2 AM to a cart in Ezeiza. El Toto (Gallego) was the one who smuggled the chorizos.”
Result: Argentina champion. Kempes top scorer. The clandestine choripán worked.
The Best-Selling Choripán
Place: “Don Pepe” cart at Monroe and Figueroa Alcorta Sold: 1,200 choripanes in 4 hours (final Argentina 3 - Netherlands 1) Price: $15 pesos Secret: Chimichurri with Don Pepe’s grandma’s recipe (never revealed)
1986 World Cup: Maradona and the Mexican Chori
Mexico 86: Argentina Champion
At the Mexico 1986 World Cup, Argentines encountered an unexpected problem.
Choripán in Mexico? DIDN’T EXIST (tragedy)
What there was:
- Tacos (not the same)
- Hot dogs (insult)
- Tortas (interesting but no)
Argentines in Mexico
Problem: 10,000 Argentines traveled. NONE found choripán.
Improvised solution: A group of Boca fans brought 40 kilos (90 pounds) of chorizo in suitcases from Argentina.
How they cooked it: Portable grill in the Azteca Stadium parking lot.
Result: Sold 150 choripanes at USD 5 each (very expensive for 1986, but Argentines paid happily).
The Legend
They say Maradona ate one of those choripanes after the England match.
Source: “A friend of my uncle’s cousin was there” Veracity: 0% Importance: 100% (because we want it to be true)
1990 World Cup: Italy and the Chori-Gate
Italy 90: Argentina Runner-up
Choripán in Italy? Didn’t exist either
But: Argentines learned from ‘86
Operation “Italian Choripán”
Plan: 50 organized fans led by a La Boca butcher brought 200 kilos (440 pounds) of frozen chorizo in a giant portable cooler.
Cost: USD 8,000 (split between everyone)
Location: Camper parked near Rome’s Olympic Stadium
Result: Sold 800 choripanes during the tournament
Price: 10,000 liras (~USD 8)
The Scandal
Italian police stopped them 3 times thinking they were selling drugs.
Police: “What is that green stuff?” Fan: “Chimichurri, officer. Want to try?” Police after trying: “Madonna! È buonissimo!”
Result: They let them sell in peace.
The Final
Argentina loses 1-0 to Germany.
Clarín headline: “We lost the final but won with choripán”
1998 World Cup: France and the Most Expensive Choripán in History
France 98: Argentina Eliminated in Quarters
Choripán in Paris? Of course not
But: Argentines were already professionals at this
The “Chori Parisien”
A group from Rosario set up a choripán stand near the Arc de Triomphe.
Menu:
- Classic choripán: 50 francs (~USD 8)
- Choripán “with brie cheese”: 70 francs (~USD 12)
- “Gourmet choripán with champagne”: 150 francs (~USD 25)
The USD 25 Choripán
What it had:
- Argentine chorizo
- French bread (advantage of being in France)
- Chimichurri
- Glass of champagne accompaniment
- Cloth napkin
Sold: 47 units (Yankee tourists bought out of curiosity)
Argentine opinion: “We sold out to French capital. Treason.”
2006 World Cup: Germany and the “Wurst-Pán”
Germany 2006: Argentina Eliminated in Quarters
Choripán in Germany? They have sausages, but it’s not the same
The Cultural Fusion
Argentine fans in Berlin did an experiment: “Wurst-Pán”
What it was:
- German bratwurst (local sausage)
- Argentine French bread (brought from Buenos Aires)
- Chimichurri
- German mustard
German reaction: “Ist interessant…” (it’s interesting) Argentine reaction: “This is treason to the homeland”
Conclusion: The experiment was canceled. You can’t improve perfection.
2010 World Cup: South Africa and the “Safari Choripán”
South Africa 2010: Argentina Eliminated in Quarters
Choripán in South Africa? No, but there was “Boerewors” (South African sausage)
The African Attempt
Boerewors: South African sausage with local spices (coriander, nutmeg) Experiment: Boerewors + bread + chimichurri = African choripán?
Result: NO. Completely different flavor.
Argentine verdict: “It’s good, but it’s not choripán. It’s something else.”
The Lesson
Choripán is NOT universal. It’s specifically Argentine. Can’t be replicated with German, Italian, South African or Martian sausage.
2014 World Cup: Brazil and the Choripán Invasion
Brazil 2014: Argentina Runner-up
FINALLY: A neighboring country with grill culture
The Scene in Brazil
Advantage: Brazil has “Linguiça” (Brazilian chorizo) Difference: More garlic, less paprika
Argentine choripán in Brazil:
- Price: 25 reais (~USD 10)
- Places: Food trucks near Maracaná
- Quality: GOOD (for the first time at a World Cup outside Argentina)
The Cultural Confrontation
Brazilians: “Linguiça é melhor” Argentines: “Argentine chorizo is superior”
Solution: They did a joint Argentine-Brazilian asado. Tried both. Tied in peace.
2018 World Cup: Russia and the “Frozen Choripán”
Russia 2018: Argentina Eliminated in Round of 16
Challenge: -15°C (5°F) in Moscow Problem: How to keep a choripán hot?
Argentine Engineering
Fans from Rosario invented the “Termo-Chori”
What it was:
- Argentine Stanley thermos
- Choripán inside wrapped in aluminum foil
- Pouch of hot chimichurri
- Stayed warm for 2 hours
Result: Sold 200 “Termo-Chori kits” at USD 15 each
Russian reaction: Bought out of curiosity. They liked it.
2022 World Cup: Qatar and the “Desert Choripán”
Qatar 2022: Argentina Champion ⭐⭐⭐
The biggest challenge: Muslim country without official pork
The Strategy
Problem: In Qatar, pork is limited/prohibited Solution: BEEF chorizo
Places that sold choripán:
- Official Fan Zone (with special permit)
- Food trucks with license
- Argentina concentration hotel
Prices in Qatar
Official Fan Zone choripán: 40 riyals (~USD 11) Food truck choripán: 50 riyals (~USD 13.70) Hotel concentration choripán: USD 18
The most expensive in World Cup history.
The Epic Story
A fan from Lanús called “El Gordo Martín” traveled with 2 jars of homemade chimichurri in his backpack.
Plan: Buy local chorizo + bread in Qatar, add his chimichurri.
Result: Qatar customs confiscated the chimichurri (prohibited liquid).
Reaction: He cried. Literally cried over losing his chimichurri.
Plot twist: A Qatari who worked at the airport, moved by this, got him parsley, garlic and oil. Martín remade the chimichurri at the hotel.
Happy ending: Ate homemade choripán in Doha. Argentina champion.
Price Evolution: 1978-2022
| World Cup | Year | Choripán Price | 2026 Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 1978 | $15 pesos | $4,500 ARS |
| Mexico | 1986 | USD 5 | $8,000 ARS |
| Italy | 1990 | 10,000 liras | $9,500 ARS |
| France | 1998 | 50 francs | $12,000 ARS |
| Korea/Japan | 2002 | 1,000 yen | $10,500 ARS |
| Germany | 2006 | €8 | $13,000 ARS |
| South Africa | 2010 | 80 rand | $9,000 ARS |
| Brazil | 2014 | 25 reais | $11,000 ARS |
| Russia | 2018 | 600 rubles | $10,000 ARS |
| Qatar | 2022 | 40 riyals | $15,000 ARS |
Conclusion: In Argentina, $4,500 ARS. In the world, triple.
Choripán World Cup Numbers
Choripanes Sold (Estimated)
- Argentina 78: 45,000
- Mexico 86: 2,500 (clandestine Argentines)
- Italy 90: 3,000
- France 98: 4,500
- Korea/Japan 02: 1,200
- Germany 06: 5,000
- South Africa 10: 2,000
- Brazil 14: 35,000 (neighboring country helped)
- Russia 18: 8,000
- Qatar 22: 18,000
Historical total: ~124,200 choripanes at World Cups
Conclusion
Choripán traveled to 10 countries in 44 years of World Cups. Crossed oceans, deserts, snow, and even religious restrictions.
The constant: Where there are Argentines, there’s choripán. Or at least the attempt to make it.
The best part: At Qatar 2022, after 44 years, Argentina was champion again. And this time, there was choripán to celebrate.
Final truth: The next World Cup is in North America 2026 (USA, Mexico, Canada). Argentines are already planning how to bring 500 kilos (1,100 pounds) of chorizo.
Choripán is heritage. And where Argentina plays, choripán plays too.
Let’s go Argentina. Let’s go choripán. Let’s go World Cup 2026.