The 2026 FIFA World Cup – the “Super Bowl” of international men’s soccer — is being hosted by North American starting June 11 and running through July 19. Games will take place in cities across Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. These matches are an awesome time for watch parties, and I’ve got wines from four world-class wine regions to add some international flair to the fun.

From New Zealand: Giesen Dealcoholized Rosé Spritz

The always-sporty New Zealanders will be rooting for the All Whites with this fun NA rosé fizz. Giesen hails from New Zealand’s legendary Marlborough region, home to some of the country’s most popular and delicious wines.

Giesen’s 0% Rosé Spritz is dry, with a gush of juicy tropical fruit and bubbles add fun. There an undertone of sweet, tangy citrus that I really like in this wine. It’s only 17 calories per 100ml (3.3 ounces). Bonus: it comes in a 750 ml bottle with a crown cap (no corkscrew required) and also in 250ml cans that are great for popping into a backpack or beach bag.

This wine starts with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, which are fermented separately in stainless steel (no oak) as full-strength wines. They are then blended with a touch of Syrah for that rosy hue, and gently de-alcoholized. The wine is force-carbonated and packaged and shazam: you have a non-alcoholic spritz that is tastes like a true spritz.

Find these at your favorite store. A four-pack of the Spritz cans is about $20 and the 750 ml bottle is $16. Goooooal!!

From France: Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain

The Henriot Champagne house, like so many, was founded by a woman, Apolline Henriot, in 1808. With more than 200 years of Champagne excellence, this is what the French will be drinking as they cheer on Les Bleues in the World Cup (so-named for their blue outfits).

Henriot Cellar Master Alice Tetiénne oversees production and her approach focuses on sustainable farming and precision-blending. I also love her appreciation of the emotion that Champagne brings to every occasion – the whole sensory experience, from popping a cork to the sound of the bubbles as they fizz up to the surface to the pleasures of drinking it.

The wine is a blend of the three classic grapes of Champagne: 50% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier. It contains wine from 29 different crus (plots, or areas) with 50-70% of wines of the year, and 30-50% reserve wines from prior vintages. It was aged for three years, and offers everything to love about Champagne, toasty, bready aromas and vivacious apple and pear flavors with a little lemon cream in there. Love.

Find Henriot Brut Souverain at Binny’s, Garfield’s and Whole Foods for about $55. More info on Henriot is here.

From the U.S: The Critic Napa Valley Cabernet

Okay, I was skeptical about a $25 Napa Cab, but guess what? As a critic myself, I was impressed! This wine is juicy, with classic aromatics that scream, “I’m Cabernet! From California!” But Napa Valley? Napa Cab can be a pricey meatball (and often waaaaay-overpriced for the quality of the wine). But this beauty is really well-made and a great price.

It’s got excellent texture, with a bit of chew from well-managed tannins. It’s got loads of ripe blue and black fruit, with a little graphite (pencil lead) in the background. And yes, there’s a little vanilla, from oak aging, but it is subtle. Super affordalicious! It tastes like money if you ask me.

If you are grilling up some steaks or burgers for your World Cup party, to watch the U.S. Stars & Stripes play Paraguay on June 12, this is the wine for you!

I love that this brand – The Critic – is all about getting to the heart of enjoying wine. You are the critic and you can be the judge. If you like it, it’s great wine. (Time for everyone to get off the wine-shaming bus!) Bonus: it’s a Certified California Sustainable Winery. Find it at your favorite store for about $25. Find out more here.

From Portugal: Monte Velho Red by Esporão

I have a soft spot for Portugal, because it is where I saw my first professional soccer match – from a friend’s balcony who lived directly across from the Estoril Praia stadium. And I’ve got the perfect wine for the Portuguese national team – known as A Seleçao – as they face the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 17.

It’s Esporão’s Monte Velho Red. Esporão is one of Portugal’s most prolific wineries, based mainly in Alentejo (just a couple hours from Lisbon). That is where this sexy beast is from, and if you are in the area, Esporão’s property in Alentejo is a great place to visit. They have a robust hospitality program with options for wine tasting, olive oil tasting and their restaurant is legendary.

Back to the wine! Perfumey aromatics fly right out of the glass, with black cherry, dried violets, graphite and some black tea. It’s bright and zingy and juicy on the palate. You’ll pick up some cranberries and other red fruits with some savory notes in the background. Like most Portuguese wines, it’s a blend, and this wine features Aragonez (aka Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and Syrah.

Pair this wine with grilled sausages or steak tacos and yell, “Portugual – Allez!” (that’s the traditional crowd cheer) during the match. (I was in Portugal in summer 2024 when they were playing France in the European Cup and we headed to the main pavilion in Viseu where the whole town was watching on a giant screen … so much fun.)

Find this wine at Bottles Up in Lakeview for about $15. More info on Esporão here.

Here’s to your favorite team!