World Cup of Wines: Opening round recommendations

The World Cup is here!

Like many others, here at Decanter we've felt the touch of a little touch of football-fever at the return of this ultimate sporting event.

And, like many of you too no doubt, we've created a pool to make watching the tournament a little more exciting.

But we've added a wine twist.

A great many of the teams at the World Cup are wine producers and, in fact, a wine-producing country (to at least some degree) has lifted every trophy since the event began in 1930 – Uruguay, Italy, (West) Germany, Argentina, Brazil, England, France and Spain.

With that in mind, we decided to split the 16 biggest wine-producing nations between the eight of us, with each round of the competition bringing you a wine recommendation for each of our teams based on criteria such as their opponent, or their playing style, where they're playing etc.

Just like any pool, you're in until your team(s) out. And we'll see if a winemaking nation can lift the prize again in the USA...

And if you feel the need for some... actual football analysis during this World Cup, do check in on our friends and colleagues over at FourFourTwo for all their updates and coverage.

Who's who?

A quick overview of our pool members and who they will be covering.

Ines Salpico: Our Regional Editor for Spain, Portugal and South America has come up trumps with two teams in her realm of expertise: strong favourites Spain and mercurial Uruguay.

Julie Sheppard: Our Australia, New Zealand and South Africa Editor, likewise pulled one of her regular countries, Australia, but she also drew the reigning champions – Argentina! Lots of steaks and bold reds incoming.

James Button: There was no likelihood of our Italy Editor drawing Italy because they, umm, didn't qualify (again). Nonetheless, he has plenty to recommend in these group stages with Portugal and South Africa.

Natalie Earl: Our France Editor is likewise beyond her usual remit with plucky football underdogs New Zealand but also die Mannschaft itself, Germany. A lot of fine white wines and sumptuous Pinot Noirs in store from both, but it's the Germans you'll be hearing about longest.

Tina Gellie: A rush of pride for our Content Director Tina, who drew her native Canada in their home World Cup, however, she'll be banking on the more formidable Croatia if she wants to be making recommendations in the later stages.

Rupert Millar: A fine draw for Premium's Assistant Editor with a bullish Austria but also the crème de la crème of big name wine teams – France. Rupert's got a veritable chocolate box of recommendations to draw from.

Mark O'Halleron: The good ol' USA goes to Premium sub-editor, Mark. Our expansive US coverage means he has plenty of wines to choose from but will the US mens' team give him the opportunity to draw upon it deep into the competition? Or will cool-headed Switzerland be the longer-term banker?

Izzy Porter: And there it is – England! You'll need the wine recommendations to cope with the stress. Will there be corks popping at the end? Our Special Projects Assistant also drew Turkey, which will give her a chance to brush up on her Öküzgözü and Boğazkere in their group stages head-to-head with Australia.

Ines: Spain & Uruguay

Spain: Spain arrives at this year’s competition as reigning European champions and with the vivid memory of their 2010 World Cup win.

Will Luis de la Fuente, Lamine Yamal (2025 Ballon d'Or runner-up) and Nico Williams work their magic again?

La Roja will likely breeze through their first match against Cape Verde so the players might want to remain focused yet relaxed on their first week across the pond.

Viña Zorzal’s pink Garnacha is the very definition of laidback focus and will be a good option to keep Spanish players and supporters both refreshed and nurtured.

Uruguay: Uruguay has had a bumpy ride in the lead up to this World Cup…

Internal fighting and a lack of scoring have them land on North American soil with uncertainty and trepidation.

Still, like a good Tannat, the team has a fleshy, vibrant core in midfield trio Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo Bentancur.

Grab a bottle of Pisano’s Progreso Tannat Reserve, enjoy its fragrant, easy-drinking style and trust that the Uruguayan team delivers the same lively, enjoyable finish in its first match against Saudi Arabia.

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina: For their opening match against Algeria, the reigning world champions Argentina will travel to Kansas City, home of the slow-smoked barbecue, burnt ends and beefy KC strip.

If you’re planning to cheer on the great Lionel Messi with a similarly meaty feast, you’d better reach for a bottle of Argentina’s signature grape Malbec, which pairs perfectly with steaks and char-grilled meats.

Try the rich and structured Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 2024 from Mendoza, packed with vibrant black cherry and dark plummy fruit, plus dark chocolatey tannins. A wine fit for champions…

Australia: Vines were first planted in Australia in 1788, but the country doesn’t boast such a long World Cup history.

Playing Turkey in Round One won’t be an easy match; Turkey reached the semi-finals in 2002, taking third place, and the current squad includes Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler.

So Australia needs to stay on its feet. What better than a light and lively Grenache from McLaren Vale?

Try Gary’s Vineyard Grenache 2023, a detailed and dancing wine, with Negroni-like herbal and dried orange peel aromas. It’s made by Mark Bulman, the first person ever to win the famous Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for a Grenache – let’s hope some of his winner’s luck rubs off…

James: Portugal & South Africa

Portugal: Portugal take on DRC (no, not that DRC!) in their first match. Will Cristiano, in his record sixth World Cup, fire on all cylinders?

The drum-beating Congolese fans will be doing all they can to push their team forward.

Niepoort’s ‘Redoma Reserva Branco’ will capture all the energy of the 72,000-capacity stadium in Houston, with its flinty, floral and waxy character, vivid acidity and an assertive backbone that helps it match with a variety of snacks while you watch.

Great value for the quality, too.

South Africa: South Africa travel to Mexico City for the first clash of the 2026 World Cup, against the co-hosts.

What better way to kick off than with Blank Bottle’s ‘Confessions of a White Glove Chaser’, a delicious Cab Franc-Cab Sauv blend from Stellenbosch which comes in at under £20.

Enjoy with homemade fajitas to really get into the spirit of things!

Natalie: Germany & New Zealand

Germany: World Cup champions in 2014, Germany will be laser focused on joining Italy and Brazil with an elite fifth tournament victory – and with a team based around the world-class Bayern Munich club, they’re in for a fighting chance.

But will manager Julian Nagelsmann, known for being rather explosive on the sidelines, keep his cool under the Texan sun?

Perhaps he’ll need a refreshing glass of this bone-dry Riesling to cool down. They’re playing the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao.

Popular with diving enthusiasts – will they be diving for saves in their first match? – it’s famous for its Blue Bay and Blue Curaçao drink. Let’s hope there’s no Blue Nun in sight.

New Zealand: What better way to cheer on New Zealand’s football team – the All Whites – than with a pungent and instantly recognisable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

This Wairau Cove Reserve doesn’t hold back, and neither should the All Whites, giving a sucker punch of green and tropical fruit (no punches thrown in the match though, boys).

It’s hugely aromatic and in your face, just the kind of attitude the All Whites will need against the string of strong players in the Iranian team.

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia: Luka Modrić, Croatia’s football GOAT, and now aged 40, will lead his team out for their first game of this year’s World Cup in Dallas, Texas, to face England, captained by Harry Kane.

In their nine duels to date, England narrowly lead by five wins to three, so it could be a nervous watch.

For an equally nervy white wine, with high acidity and focused fruit, try examples from the Pošip grape variety, which mainly comes from the region of Dalmatia.

Stina’s minerally 2024 Pošip, from the limestone soils of Korčula island, has all the vibrant citrusy notes to keep you laser focused on the match.

Like the England team nickname, Damatia’s coat of arms also boasts three lions, so which one will prevail?

Canada: Co-host Canada has its first home game of the 2026 World Cup in Toronto, the country’s largest city, and home to a sizeable population with Bosnian ancestry – apt given their opponents.

So this should be a lively match, befitting of a lively wine. And what better than a deliciously vibrant Gamay from the Niagara Peninsula, an hour down the coast from the stadium.

Malivoire’s 2024 Gamay from the Wismer-Foxcroft vineyard on Twenty Mile Bench has crunchy acidity and succulent cherry-cranberry flavours.

It’s a perfect bottle for either your bacon sandwich (made from famous Canadian peameal bacon) or a flatbread filled with ćevapi, a grilled minced meat sausage that is Bosnia’s national dish.

Rupert: France & Austria

France: The top-ranked team in the world going into this World Cup, France have a spicy first game against one of Africa’s best teams – Senegal.

Les bleus will need to keep their cool in the increasingly sultry New York heat against a country known for both sizzling footwork and cuisine.

Mbappé & co should take inspiration from the Loire Valley’s Chenin Blancs, effortlessly taut, complex and an ideal match with a variety of hot and spicy dishes.

Look to Saumur for something more easy-going or Savennières for a wine with real drive.

Austria: The Austrians will be looking to make a strong first impression in their first game against low-ranked debutants Jordan.

Their manager prefers an attacking style but there’s (probably) no need for anything too fancy at this stage. Just keep it nice and clean and uncomplicated.

ÖFB followers should kick back and ease themselves into the competition with a classic Grüner Veltliner.

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA: The co-host’s run up to the World Cup has been underwhelming. Paraguay, back on the big stage for the first time since 2010, represent the first hurdle.

They ight not be anyone's favourites for the tournament but Paraguay aren't to be underestimated either.

Perhaps the US is best served matching Paraguayan pride with a grape that the US has arguably made its own – Zinfandel.

Ridge’s iteration, Geyserville, from Sonoma County, is a stunning example, one that pairs velvety power with a dash of elegance and flair, something that the US may well need to draw upon; and matched with an asado? Sounds like the perfect draw.

Switzerland: A very diplomatic match-up between this historic neutral and Qatar, a modern-day political mediator.

In that respect, you might want to keep things restrained and medium-bodied.

But this is the World Cup! So instead try the more gutsy Cayas Syrah du Valais Réserve from Domaine Jean-René Germanier.

It delivers rich red and dark berry fruit, framed with oak and shot through with a cool Alpine seam. A wine that will prove a fine partner to your favourite Middle Eastern dishes during the game.

Izzy: England & Turkey

England: England’s World Cup campaign is getting started in Texas on Wednesday, and what better way to kick off any summer fun than with bubbles?

Although there’s no guarantee of celebration in what will likely be a tough match for England against a strong Croatian side, if you’re looking for a wine that will be sure not to disappoint, Gusbourne’s Blanc de Blancs 2020 is a fabulous choice.

Layers of bright citrus, white fruits and brioche and buttery notes are beautifully focused – let’s just hope our boys can show equal precision on the pitch…

Turkey: It’s the first time Turkey has qualified for the World Cup since 2002, so the players will be looking to put in a strong first performance in their opening match against the Aussies on Sunday.

If you’re looking for an equally full-bodied but rather off-the-beaten-track alternative to a Barossa Shiraz, consider a wine made with Turkey’s native Boğazkere - especially an older vintage like this one, where the tannins have softened.

With black cherry and peppery aromas, like a mature Nebbiolo, this will stand up just as well as Shiraz to barbecued meats – why not pair with lamb koftas to kick off the fun?

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