The 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway with stories of fans from around the globe coming together to celebrate and enjoy the game of soccer. Each team has their own traditions, foods, chants, and fanbases that highlight what makes their team and country so special. While we may not all agree on what team to root for, Champagne Taittinger (the official Champagne of FIFA) is here to help you host the ultimate watch party no matter your team! 

Wine: 

Champagne and parties – a tradition as old as time. No party is complete without a glass or two of bubbly, and nothing says “it’s time to celebrate” quite like the popping sound of a cork being removed from a perfectly chilled bottle of Champagne. Champagne Taittinger has been bringing excitement (and Champagne) to FIFA and the World Cup since entering a partnership right before the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.  

READ MORE: 5 Reasons Champagne Taittinger is the MVP of the World Cup – Wine 365

How to Chill it Quickly

The most important rule of serving Champagne is to make sure it’s chilled, so we have included a few tricks below if you’re in a bind and need chilled bubbles quickly.  

• Ice Water Bath Method (10-15 minutes) 

• • Fill a bucket with ice and cold water 

• • Submerge the bottle and rotate occasionally until chilled 

• • Pro Tip: For a quicker chill time, mix roughly a cup of table salt into the bucket before adding your bottles. Salt lowers the freezing point and allows the ice water to reach its coldest point quicker.  

• Freezer Method (15-20 minutes) 

• • Wrap the bottle in a wet paper towel and place in the freezer 

• • The evaporative cooling that takes place speeds up the chilling process.  

• • Pro Tip: Set a timer top avoid freezing the bottle 

Glassware

While you’re waiting for your Champagne to chill, let’s talk glassware. There is no real wrong answer to what glassware you should be using to drink your Champagne. Some more serious wine-drinkers prefer white wine glasses; some say flutes are more fun; there’s also a crowd that says coupe glasses are the way to go. At the end of the day, when serving champagne at a party, it is all up to personal preference what glass type you choose.  

LEARN MORE: Inside The Official Champagne of The FIFA World Cup™ – Wine 365

Food: 

Food plays a core role in both countries and at parties. Depending on what match you decide to host your watch party for, try to incorporate those country’s foods into your spread – whether it’s tacos for Mexico, empanadas for Argentina, croissants for France, or gyoza for Japan.  

If you want to take your party to the next level, try pairing your Champagne with Calvisius Caviar. Champagne and caviar are a dynamic duo; crisp and refreshing champagne balances the salty, rich, and silky caviar. No matter how you enjoy your caviar – from classic blinis to adventurous Doritos – this pairing is sure to wow the crowd.  

Lucky for you, Taittinger Brut la Francaise is super versatile and pairs well with most foods thanks to its crisp clean citrus notes and acidity. Champagne in general plays well with most foods for a number of reasons. For starters, the low tannins and gentle structure allow for the wine to compliment and not overpower more delicate foods. Champagne also has a level of complexity from fermentation – the layers of notes like brioche and biscuit add depth and character. Finally, the high acid found in Champagne – some of the highest acidity found in wines – acts like a palate cleanser, cutting through richness and refreshing the palate.  

No matter how you choose to snack – Taittinger Brut La Francaise has your back when it comes to pairing! 

Decor: 

In terms of party planning importance, decor comes in right after food and drink. Our team – Team Taittinger – is cheering on the French this World Cup, so we are decorating with all things red, white, and blue. We will be enjoying Taittinger Champagne paired with croissants and canapés on soccer ball plates with red and blue napkins. Strings with the flags of all the countries will be hanging from the ceiling along with streamers of red and blue and white.  

Fun: 

Every great party has its activities, and a soccer watch party is no different. We’ve come up with a few fun activities that you can do with your guests to get their game face on: 

• Soccer themed wine charms: Combining both fun and practicality, you can set up a wine charm making station where your guests can create their own wine charms to show the team they are cheering for. Not only will you be able to tell whose glass is who’s, but people will be rooting for their team even while sipping.  

• Predict the game: Have your guests write down their predictions for the final score of the game before kickoff – winner gets a prize (or bragging rights)
• Name that country: If you’re trying to kill time during halftime, print out the flags of the different countries participating and see who can name the most. 

READ MORE: Which Champagne Matches Your Favorite FIFA Team? – Wine 365

Football! 

Now that you’ve done the party planning, it’s time to put your team’s jersey on, pour a glass of Taittinger Champagne, and get ready to cheer on the game!