THE 2026 WORLD Cup just wrapped up, and the American audience is still confused. Ties? Video review? Jerseys inspired by surrealist artists? Water breaks? For adults?
As a diehard soccer fan, it’s a sad, sad time for this writer. Four more years until the world’s biggest sporting event assembles once more. Sure, I won’t miss explaining offside to newbies at the bar, or why a penalty shootout is a bogus way to decide a game, but I will miss the enthusiastic Mexican fans (known to wake up opponents from outside their hotels in the middle of the night), the French players’ poetic names (Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé), and the Norwegian defender who looks like the final boss from The Karate Kid. (And also the Switzerland coach, clearly Bruce Lee’s nemesis.)
We may not be able to agree on everything, especially when a tournament like the World Cup happens, as it pits so many cultures, ideas, strange rules, and teams against one another. But everyone seems aligned that only one team wins in the end, and that team (and its loyal legion of followers) ought to celebrate hard. You know, like filling-the-trophy-with-fizzy-wine-hard.
Spraying champagne as a victory ritual reportedly comes to us from the racing world, when Dan Gurney, the 1967 winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, popped his cork and sprayed the press and Henry Ford II alike. The move spread to Formula One, eventually the world, and the rest is foaming, frothy history.
These days, Champagne Taittinger is the go-to bottle to crack for World Cup winners—and has been for more than a decade. The famed French label, which dates back to the 18th century, first partnered with FIFA for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Since then, it’s played witness to some of the wildest celebrations in all of international sport, enjoyed in the glass, sprayed on the locker room walls, and cracked atop buses during celebration parties as millions of fans wave flags below.
The Champagne has been in the custody of some of the greatest soccer players on earth, spanning three men’s World Cups and four Women’s World Cups. This is the famed fizzy wine that douses greats like Kylian Mbappé, Megan Rapinoe, Lionel Messi, and Rodri moments after they hoist the famed gold trophy. And each World Cup is treated to a new custom label, befitting of just how distinct each final and subsequent celebration is.
2018
It’s only fitting that when France wins, Champagne is on the menu. After defeating a remarkable Croatia team 2-4 in the final, Les Bleus celebrated in style. Champagne featured throughout a multiday party involving the likes of iconic players like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, trophy-carrying parades through the Champs-Élysées, and spontaneous street celebrations that attracted millions. The team’s choice in wine was as tasteful as their style of play, which proved unstoppable throughout the tournament, and produced some of the best goals in World Cup memory.
2022
After one of the best World Cup finals of all time, an exhausting and heart-racing match between Argentina and France that finally ended in penalty kicks with the former the victor (along with GOAT Messi), drinks were in order. Les Celeste danced about in Dubai right after the victory, with players and coaching staff alike sharing in some Champagne after the nation’s fourth World Cup win. Messi and company returned home to revel before millions in Buenos Aires in some of the most joyful street scenes to date.
2026
This year, Spain came out on top against Argentina 1-0 in NYC to cap off a great run at the 2026 World Cup. While the scoreline was slim, the best team won, after shutting down some of the top contenders en route. To rejoice, Spanish greats like Rodri and Ferran Torres splashed each other in Champagne, danced to Bad Bunny, and lit up cigars. Taittinger (a limited-edition Brut Réserve) flowed like a wild river during the trophy presentation and, hours later, the team paraded around the historic streets of Madrid alongside Spain’s prime minister. Thanks to the women winning in 2023, it’s currently the first time a single nation holds both World Cups at the same time. That certainly calls for some bubbles.
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
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Source: menshealth.com
