World Cup of Wines: Our expert wine pairings for the last group games

It’s game three of the group stages which means it’s crunch time for a number of teams.

For many of our wine teams, a place in the next round is already assured. For a few more this game will decide a) if they get to progress and b) in what position. With third place qualifications being allowed this time, it’s all to play for for a hopeful few.

And, sadly, for a couple of our teams it’s already looking like an early exit and back home to try again in four years’ time.

But, whether you’re able to watch your team’s final match in comfortable ease or on tenterhooks or with thwarted ambitions, we hope we can offer a few wine choices to match, with this week’s pairings including a sparkling Canadian icewine, a pairing of Zweigelt and couscous, a crisp Vinho Verde and a trans-Atlantic battle of Mencías.

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.

Ines: Spain & Uruguay

Spain vs Uruguay: Well, things are definitely not going according to plan for Spain. La Roja was stunned by a surprisingly effective Cape Verde and their overnight-star goalkeeper Vozinha.

The European champions went into the game thinking it would be an easy win but the first-time-qualified Cape Verdians bravely held them to a draw.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, gave Spain enough space to show its true colours.

Meanwhile, Uruguay has been irregularly regular with two draws but very different performances, leaving fans at once hopeful and concerned.

It’s safe to say that both need to focus and chill out! As they prepare to face each other, it’s not a bad idea if they pick up a chillable bottle of red and find some invigorating, chiseled energy.

Maybe a battle of Mencías? Telmo Rodriguez’s Gaba Mencía has a good match (all puns intended) in Marichal’s Creatura – the same grape, the same ocean, two very different ways of interpreting both.

Classicism vs creativity; precision vs. mischief. Signs of things to happen on the field?

Julie: Argentina & Australia

Argentina (vs Jordan): With six points under its belt after defeating Austria and Algeria, Argentina has already qualified for the final 32, ahead of its final Group J match against Jordan.

What’s more, Lionel Messi is now the top goalscorer in the 2026 competition and became the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer as his double against Austria took his count to a phenomenal 18 goals.

So whatever the outcome of the Jordan match, it’s cause for celebration with a bottle from one of Argentina’s leading sparkling producers, Cruzat.

Finca La Dama NV is a single-vineyard cuveé from Vista Flores in Uco, with chalky minerality and precise acidity giving complexity and finesse.

Australia (vs Paraguay): The Socceroos are currently sitting second in Group D, as their initial 2-0 victory against Turkey was countered with a 2-0 defeat to the United States.

So now it’s everything to play for, as a win or a draw in their final group match against Paraguay in San Francisco would take them through to the knockout stages.

Fans attending the match may well be fuelling up on one of the city’s famous Mission-style burritos.

Pair it with Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021 from the Adelaide Hills, packed with plum and black cherry fruit framed by savoury black olives and smoked charcuterie; well balanced with a fresh and lively finish.

James: Portugal & South Africa

Portugal (vs Colombia): Miami Stadium is expected to turn into a sea of yellow for this blockbuster match against Colombia.

It’s likely to be a fiery face off full of energy and emotion.

Pick up a bottle of Cozs’ ‘Pop Branco’ white and settle down with bowls of salty snacks to comfort you as you sit on the edge of your seat.

South Africa (vs South Korea): Will underdogs South Africa be able to absorb the Korean pressure and make it out of the group stage?

Sit down and enjoy the clash with Riebeek Cellars’ ‘A Fistful of Shiraz’, a delicious pairing for Korean fried chicken with a soy and garlic glaze thanks to its precise and crunchy dark fruits.

Natalie: Germany & New Zealand

Germany (vs Ecuador): Germany arrive in New Jersey on Thursday 25 June after putting nine goals past Curaçao and Ivory Coast combined.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have zero goals to their name so far this tournament.

Nagelmann’s team should complete this stage with minimum fuss, as they cruise into the next round.

Pour something equally unfussy and joyful with this thirst quenching Rheinhessen Riesling from Waitrose :

New Zealand (vs Ivory Coast): New Zealand may be a more established wine region than Belgium, but it’s the opposite when it comes to football.

New Zealand are going to need more than their reputation for great Sauvignon Blanc to see them through their next match and salvage any chance of staying in the competition.

Maybe they can try with something a bit more left field, like this rosé made from Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

Tina: Croatia & Canada

Croatia (vs Ghana): These two nations face each other in Philadelphia for the last match of their Group L campaigns.

And it promises to be a juicy affair if the vibrancy of their young stars (Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi, aged 20, and 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic of Croatia) show what they are made of.

Whether they do or they don’t, you’ll still get all the youthful exuberance and bold, juicy character in this Teran from Istria which, like these young stars, is impressive now but has a long future ahead.

Canada (vs Switzerland): The final game for these two Group B nations again plays out at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver.

With Canada one of the joint hosts, and playing before a home crowd, I’m banking for a win (ok, I’ll settle for a draw) to advance them to the final 32.

To manifest success, I’m going with winners from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.

For a local Okanagan Valley white, I’d go for this 96-point Chardonnay Gold from Cedar Creek but to toast a sparkling performance and sweet victory, it has to be this Platinum-winning Vidal Blanc Icewine.

Rupert: France & Austria

France (vs Norway): The last time France faced the vikings it led to the creation of Normandy.

And France’s back four are going to have to form an impenetrable shieldwall against Norway’s line-breaking striker Erling Haaland in this deciding clash for control of the group.

Like their forebears, Norway’s team no doubt powered by copious amounts of fårikål – mutton and cabbage stew.

A hearty dish, it calls for an equally hearty wine to suit a meaty game, so why not grab a bottle of something from Bordeaux’s right bank – like this 100% Merlot from Lussac St-Emilion with notes of sweet blackberry jam, cedar and smoky spice.

Austria (vs Algeria): Has anyone ever paired Austrian wine with couscous before?

Maybe now’s the time to start in this Group J decider.

Algeria’s emblematic dish of rice with a stew of spiced vegetables and meat normally calls for a good fruity red and I reckon Austria’s Zweigelt is an ideal choice.

Try something like this from Burgenland with its soft, ripe cherry, plum and blackcurrant fruit and a twist of peppery spice.

Mark: USA & Switzerland

USA (vs Turkey): Turkish cuisine is a melange of influences from around the world. In this weather you may well be breaking out the barbie, and laying on a few kebabs would be a fine idea.

A lighter Zinfandel would be dextrous enough to cope with the style of kebab that you prefer, and the wildly unconventional’ Arnot Roberts, Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel from Lodi with its ‘fresh red and blue fruits’ would suit just fine

Switzerland (vs Canada): The pair are joint top of their group and almost dead certs to progress to the next round, so this might turn into a glorified friendly.

Perhaps take a similar approach to your wine pick, something that possesses an easy personality.

Chasselas is arguably Switzerland’s signature white grape and is renowned for its light body and low alcohol.

A recent standout example from the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards is the 90-pt Domaine Du Feuillerage, Perroy Chasselas.

Just 11.8% alcohol, and praised for its ‘inviting nose of yellow apple, pear and orchard fruit; juicy apple and a crisp acidity on the vibrant palate’.

Izzy: England & Turkey

England (vs Panama): Despite putting in a rather pedestrian performance in their goalless draw against Ghana, England shouldn’t need to worry too much going into their final first-round match, their spot in the knockouts all but guaranteed.

For a refreshing, easy-drinking sparkling rosé that will go down well in the heat (and the UK has been hotter than Panama recently!) try The Grange’s Pink Brut.

‘Feather-light’ and bursting with red berries, it rated highly in a recent panel tasting and will make a delightful accompaniment to the match on Saturday.

Turkey (vs USA): Turkey’s final first round match will be against hosts USA in Los Angeles’ Inglewood Stadium, but they’re only playing for pride at this point with two losses putting them out of the competition.

For a wine that punches above its weight in value and which would certainly impress your hosts, try this refined and smoky Oküzgözü.

The winery, Doluca, celebrates its centenary this year – let’s hope it can find something else to celebrate other than the Turkish team’s performance.