The FIFA World Cup is underway, bringing the global village to North America for the next five weeks. The biggest World Cup in history. More than 48 countries will compete for the title; there, of course, plus there’ll be lots of cultural sharing between games, too: chants, local food, and conversations that will leave lasting impressions beyond the pitch. 

For other fans, brewing local beers at nearby breweries, beer gardens, or stadium pubs is part of the experience to equally find out local flavors and exchange with fellow fans. There are 104 matches in total for one million people to rally for; how much beer is going to be lifted in the process? Spain and France are favorites in the real World Cup odds, but who’d win the World Cup of beers? It’s hard to say, but there are a lot of options. Just for fun, we have picked out one beer from each of the 48 nations. We have tried to go a little leftfield, where possible:

Canada: Unibroue La Fin du Monde

A strong Belgian-style tripel from Quebec. 

México: Negra Modelo  

A smooth, Vienna-style dark lager. 

United States: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Ok. Not the most creative pick, but a steady winner. 

Japan: Hitachino Nest White Ale

A Japanese ale brewed using the “witbier” style with the addition of coriander, orange peel, and nutmeg. 

New Zealand: Emerson’s Pilsner

A crisp pilsner with a decent hoppy bite. 

Iran: Delster / Istak 

A malt-beverage stand-in because alcohol is effectively illegal in Iran. 

Argentina: Patagonia Amber Lager

A fuller, maltier lager than the more famous Quilmes. 

Uzbekistan: Sarbast Original

A popular Uzbek lager. 

Jordan: Carakale Pale Ale

A Jordanian craft pale ale. 

South Korea: Jeju Wit Ale

A Korean wheat beer, citrusy in flavor, and from the island of Jeju. 

Australia: Coopers Sparkling Ale

A cloudy, bottle-conditioned Australian ale. An old-school ale. 

Brazil: Colorado Indica

A Brazilian IPA with rapadura sugar in the recipe. 

Ecuador: Pilsener

Ecuador’s classic national beer. A decent lager. 

Paraguay: Sajonia Pale Ale

A craftier Paraguayan option and a nice change from the country’s mainstream lagers.

Uruguay: Volcánica Porter

A Uruguayan craft porter. Lovely stuff. 

Colombia: BBC Monserrate Roja

A Colombian red ale from Bogotá Beer Company

Morocco: Casablanca Beer

Morocco’s favorite lager. 

Tunisia: Celtia

Tunisia’s classic beer: straightforward lager. 

Egypt: Sakara Gold

A widely known Egyptian lager, light and easy to drink. 

Algeria: Tango Bière Blonde

A pale Algerian beer and one of the more recognizable domestic options.

Ghana: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout

No Ireland at the World Cup, but Ghana brings the Guinness. 

Cape Verde: Strela Kriola

Cape Verde’s local beer brand. 

Qatar: Barbican Malt

Like Iran (and Saudi Arabia), we have to go with a malty alcohol free substitute. 

Saudi Arabia: Moussy Classic 0.0

A beverage that is similar to beer, but made without alcohol.  

Sénégal: Flag Spéciale

A type of beer that is popular in Senegal. 

South Africa: Castle Milk Stout

A hoppy stout that is creamy and South African in style, made with roasted malt and chocolate flavors.

Ivory Coast: Bock Solibra

A popular Ivorian beer with a malty, easy-drinking profile. 

England: Fuller’s ESB 

A classic extra special bitter. 

France: Brasserie Dupont Saison Dupont

Technically Belgian in origin as a style, but France has a strong saison culture too. 

Croatia: Zmajska Pale Ale

A Croatian craft pale ale with citrusy hops. 

Portugal: Sovina Stout

A Portuguese craft stout option. 

Norway: Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout

Dark, strong, and roasty, a bold Norwegian-crafted Stout.  

Germany: Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier

A classic Bavarian wheat beer. 

Netherlands: La Trappe Dubbel

A Dutch Trappist dubbel, dark, malty, and fruity. 

Switzerland: BFM Abbaye de Saint Bon-Chien

A Swiss sour ale aged in barrels. 

Scotland: Belhaven Scottish Ale

A malty Scottish ale with caramel notes

Spain: Estrella Galicia 1906 Black Coupage

A dark Spanish lager with roasted malt notes. 

Austria: Trumer Pils

A refined Austrian pilsner: crisp, dry, and bitter. 

Belgium: Rodenbach Grand Cru

A Flemish red-brown sour ale. 

Panamá: Casa Bruja Chivoperro IPA

A Panamanian craft IPA, much hoppier than Balboa.

Curaçao: Brion Beer

A local Curaçao beer is named after independence-era figure Pedro Luis Brion. 

Haiti: Prestige

Haiti’s flagship beer is a decent if not spectacular lager. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevsko Tamno

A dark version of Sarajevo’s most famous beer. 

Sweden: Omnipollo Nebuchadnezzar IPA

A Swedish imperial IPA from one of the country’s most famous craft breweries.

Turkey: Gara Guzu Blonde Ale

A Turkish craft blonde ale, more interesting than Efes Pilsen. 

Czech Republic: Kozel Dark

A Czech dark lager: smooth, lightly sweet, and roasty. 

DR Congo: Primus

A central African staple. 

Iraq: Farida Lager

Beer options are limited in Iraq, but Farida Lager stands out.