Champagne Taittinger and the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Nothing brings the world together like the FIFA World Cup. Held every four years since 1930, it celebrates the absolute best in men’s soccer—OK, football—with this year’s tournament featuring 48 countries competing in one heated month. And this edition of the World Cup is being played in the Americas, with matches being held across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

France is already being labeled as “an absolute juggernaut” for this year’s Cup and is the early favorite. But the French are bringing more than world-class players. They’re also bringing Champagne.

Champagne Taittinger has been the Official Champagne of the World Cup for 13 years, and they’re back this year with a brand new commemorative bottle of Brut Champagne Réserve NV (350,000 bottles produced, $75). 

Taittinger’s special edition bottle was inspired by the dance of a ball on the field, while capturing their Chardonnay-forward style. (Courtesy Champagne Taittinger)

The special edition label features a holographic design in the signature colors of the host nations: red for Canada, green for Mexico and blue for the United States. According to the brand, the inspiration for the design comes from the energy and movement of the ball during a game, as well as the stitching on the ball itself. 

But, as all wine lovers know, it’s what’s inside the bottle that counts. The Brut Champagne Réserve is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier sourced from more than 35 vineyards and aged in the cellar for at least three years. Taittinger president Vitalie Taittinger describes it as “the purest expression of [their] house style and the cuvée most closely associated with Taittinger around the world.”

As if we ever need an excuse to pop a bottle of bubbly, the World Cup is as good a reason as any. Whether you’re rooting for USA, the French, or just the French wine, it’s sure to be a fun summer of competition and cheers–both kinds of cheers. 

If Team USA keeper Matt Freese can protect the goal, plenty of U.S. fans will buy him some bubbly. (Richard Heathcote/FIFA via Getty Images)

Can’t get tickets to any of the games?

There are plenty of opportunities to toast to the World Cup a little closer to home. 

For fans in New York, Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner Benoit, Alain Ducasse’s classic French bistro, is partnering with Taittinger for a “Champion Fan Zone,” open daily with televisions for game-viewing, foosball tables, and of course flutes of Taittinger’s limited-edition FIFA bottling. In addition to their regular bar menu, Benoit will be serving additional bistro apps, such as caramelized onion sliders, mini pâté en croute and lobster rolls, all perfect to pair with the Brut Champagne Réserve.

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