48 Countries, 48 Beers: The Perfect World Cup Drinking Guide

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament ever staged. With 48 nations competing across North America, supporters in Newcastle and across the UK have a unique opportunity to turn every match into a global tasting experience without leaving the sofa.

Football and beer have long gone hand in hand. Whether you are watching England take on Croatia, Argentina face Algeria or Brazil battle Morocco, there is something special about pairing the match with a beer from one of the countries involved.

For Newcastle supporters, where football culture runs deep and pubs remain at the heart of matchday traditions, the World Cup offers the perfect excuse to discover new brews from around the globe. The tournament features 48 nations and more than 100 matches, creating a month-long celebration of football, culture and drink. FIFA says the 2026 tournament is the largest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations.

According to global brewing industry estimates, more than 1.9 billion hectolitres of beer are consumed worldwide every year, making beer the most popular alcoholic beverage on the planet. Germany alone has more than 1,500 breweries, while the Czech Republic consistently records the highest beer consumption per capita in the world.

With that in mind, here is one beer to represent every nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Group A Beers.

Mexico - Corona Extra

One of the world's best-known lagers, Corona remains a symbol of Mexican brewing and is exported to more than 180 countries.

South Africa - Castle Lager

A national institution since 1895, Castle Lager remains among South Africa's most widely consumed beers.

South Korea - Cass Fresh

Light, crisp and hugely popular at Korean sporting events and social gatherings.

Czech Republic - Pilsner Urquell

The original pilsner. Czech beer drinkers consume more beer per person than any other nation, and Pilsner Urquell remains one of the country's most celebrated brands.

Group B Beers.

Canada - Molson Canadian

A staple of Canadian bars and hockey nights, Molson has been brewed since 1786.

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevsko Pivo

The country's oldest brewery dates back to 1864 and remains a point of national pride.

Qatar - Heineken 0.0

Alcohol availability remains limited in Qatar, making non-alcoholic options increasingly popular.

Switzerland - Feldschlösschen

The country's best-selling beer and a familiar sight in Swiss supermarkets.

Group C Beers.

Brazil - Brahma

One of South America's largest beer brands and a regular sponsor of football events.

Morocco - Casablanca Beer

Named after the country's most famous city, this lager has become a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Haiti - Prestige

Often described as Haiti's national beer and exported throughout the Caribbean.

Scotland - Tennent's Lager

No Scottish football gathering feels complete without a pint of Tennent's.

Group D Beers.

United States - Budweiser

One of the world's biggest beer brands and a long-time FIFA sponsor.

Paraguay - Pilsen

The country's dominant lager and a regular feature at football celebrations.

Australia - Victoria Bitter

Known simply as VB, it remains one of Australia's most recognisable beers.

Türkiye - Efes Pilsen

Turkey's largest beer brand and exported across Europe.

Group E Beers.

Germany - Paulaner Helles

Germany's brewing tradition dates back centuries and beer purity laws still influence production today.

Curacao - Amstel Bright

A Caribbean favourite that thrives in the island's tropical climate.

Ivory Coast - Bock Solibra

One of West Africa's most widely consumed lagers.

Ecuador - Pilsener

Despite the name, this Ecuadorian brand dominates its domestic market.

Group F Beers.

Netherlands - Heineken

One of the world's most recognised beers and available in almost every Newcastle supermarket.

Japan - Asahi Super Dry

Japan's best-selling beer and a global success story.

Sweden - Norrlands Guld

A crisp lager that has become a household name across Sweden.

Tunisia - Celtia

The country's most established domestic beer brand.

Group G Beers.

Belgium - Duvel

Belgium boasts hundreds of beer styles and UNESCO even recognises Belgian beer culture as part of its heritage.

Egypt - Stella Egypt

Not to be confused with Stella Artois, this remains Egypt's leading beer.

Iran - Delster

Non-alcoholic malt beverages dominate the market due to local regulations.

New Zealand - Speight's

A South Island classic with a loyal following.

Group H Beers.

Spain - Estrella Galicia

One of Spain's fastest-growing beer exports and increasingly popular in Britain.

Cape Verde - Strela

Named after the islands themselves and commonly enjoyed alongside seafood.

Saudi Arabia - Barbican

A non-alcoholic malt drink with huge popularity across the Gulf region.

Uruguay - Patricia

A leading Uruguayan lager and a common sight during football matches.

Group I Beers.

France - Kronenbourg 1664

France's biggest-selling beer brand and a major export success.

Senegal - Flag

A crisp lager that has become Senegal's best-known beer.

Iraq - Farida

One of Iraq's most recognised domestic brewing names.

Norway - Ringnes

A long-established brewery that dominates the Norwegian market.

Group J Beers.

Argentina - Quilmes

Argentina's best-selling beer and deeply connected to football culture.

Algeria - Tango

One of North Africa's most familiar beer brands.

Austria - Stiegl

Austria's largest privately owned brewery and dating back more than 500 years.

Jordan - Petra Beer

A locally brewed lager named after the country's famous historic city.

Group K Beers.

Portugal - Super Bock

Portugal's most consumed beer and often found in specialist shops around Newcastle.

DR Congo - Primus

A hugely popular lager throughout Central Africa.

Uzbekistan - Sarbast

A growing domestic brand from one of the tournament's debut nations.

Colombia - Aguila

A bright lager that has become synonymous with Colombian football.

Group L Beers.

England - Newcastle Brown Ale

For Newcastle supporters there was only one choice. Although not as dominant as it once was nationally, Newcastle Brown Ale remains one of Britain's most iconic beer brands and a symbol of Tyneside heritage.

Croatia - Ozujsko

The country's best-selling beer and often enjoyed during major sporting events.

Ghana - Club Beer

A household name throughout Ghana and a major sponsor of local football.

Panama - Balboa

Named after the famous explorer and one of Panama's leading beer brands.

The World's Biggest Beer Nations.

Several countries appearing at the World Cup also rank among the world's biggest beer producers.

China remains the largest beer-producing nation overall, although it is not participating in the tournament. Among World Cup nations, the United States, Brazil, Germany and Mexico rank among the global brewing giants. Collectively, those four countries produce tens of billions of litres annually.

The Czech Republic remains particularly fascinating. While its population is relatively small, it consistently records annual per capita consumption exceeding 140 litres per person, making it the beer capital of the world.

Belgium offers another remarkable statistic. Despite having a population of around 12 million, the country produces hundreds of unique beer styles and more than 1,500 different brands.

Why Football Fans Love Beer During Major Tournaments.

Beer consumption traditionally rises during major international football tournaments. Industry analysts regularly report significant increases in supermarket sales whenever England reaches the knockout stages of major competitions.

For many Newcastle football supporters, the World Cup recreates some of the atmosphere usually associated with Premier League matchdays at St James' Park. Friends gather at home, local pubs fill with supporters and conversations stretch long after the final whistle.

Adding an international beer tasting element can make the experience even more memorable. Rather than simply watching Mexico versus South Africa, you can enjoy a Mexican Corona and a South African Castle Lager while learning more about both nations.

It transforms football into a cultural journey.

Turning Your Living Room Into A World Cup Beer Tour.

One of the most enjoyable ways to follow the tournament is to create a matchday beer challenge.

Choose beers from each competing nation and sample them as the fixtures unfold. Many international supermarkets, specialist bottle shops and online retailers now stock beers from every corner of the globe.

Supporters in Newcastle are particularly well placed, with several independent bottle shops and international food stores carrying a growing range of imported beers.

By the time the final takes place in New York and New Jersey on July 19, football fans could have sampled nearly 50 different brewing traditions from six continents.

More Than Just A Tournament.

The World Cup has always been about more than football. It is about culture, identity, tradition and bringing people together.

This year's expanded tournament provides a rare chance to experience the flavours of every participating nation from the comfort of your own home. Whether you are backing England, Scotland, Argentina or one of the tournament's debutants, there is a beer waiting to help tell that country's story.

And for supporters across Newcastle, that journey begins with raising a glass as the biggest World Cup in history gets underway.

Which World Cup beer would you most like to try during the tournament, and which international brew deserves more attention from Newcastle football fans?