The games are far apart and the ticket prices astronomical, so while the United States gets to play co-host with Canada and Mexico to this summer’s FIFA World Cup, most of us will be watching the matches from home. Four years ago, 1.5 billion people watched the final between Argentina and France. This time should be poised to bring in even more viewers.

This year’s tournament will involve 48 teams from around the globe, the largest ever number to compete, growing from what used to be 32. That means lots of games to take in, with 12 groupings of 4 countries each kicking things off on June 11 for what is known as the Group Stage.

The United States is in Group D and will play each team in its group to qualify for the Knockout Stage. It plays Paraguay June 12 in Los Angeles; Australia June 19 in Seattle; and Turkey June 26 in Los Angeles.

Eventually, that 48 number goes down to 32 – the Knockouts start June 28. The pace quickens from there, with that Round of 32 dwindling to a Round of 16 (July 4-7), then Quarterfinals (July 9-11), Semifinals (July 14-15), and lastly the big shebang Final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

There will be more than 100 chances to watch a World Cup match. Time to start thinking about wine.

For June 11, Mexico v South Africa: Drink a Stonestreet Chardonnay made by South African-born winemaker Graham Weerts. Weerts came to Sonoma County in 1999 to work at Vérité and in 2004 became the winemaker at Stonestreet, where he made the wines through 2014. He now oversees vineyard operations for Jackson Family, running Capensis Winery on the Western Cape.

For June 12, USA v Paraguay: While Fox will be broadcasting the World Cup across the U.S. there’s no reason not to enjoy a wine from one of the country’s finest sports commentators not on Fox, CBS’s Jim Nantz. Nantz started The Calling with Peter Deutsch in 2012 to make Sonoma County-grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They work with local winemaker James MacPhail.

For June 14, Sweden v Tunisia: Karin Warnelius-Miller’s family came to Sonoma County from Sweden in 1974, buying a head-pruned vineyard near Geyserville two years later. Her husband Justin grew up on his family’s vineyard just across the highway, also in Alexander Valley. Garden Creek is their baby, the winemaking extension of their estate grapes started in 2001. The main wines are a Chardonnay and Tesserae, a long-aged Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend.

For June 15, Iran v New Zealand: Melanie McIntyre grew up in New Zealand and now makes the wines for RAEN Winery with two Mondavi brothers, Carlo and Dante. Her focus is on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in Freestone-Occidental, Fort Ross-Seaview, and the Sonoma Coast. Cline Cellars also has a winemaker from New Zealand, Tom Gendall.

For June 16, France v Senegal: Pierre Seillan left France for Sonoma County to work with Jess Jackson, searching the region for vineyard gems high and low. Since 1998 the partnership, Vérité, has produced among the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot-based blends coveted by collectors known simply as La Muse, La Joie, Le Desir, and its only white, a Sauvignon Blanc called Le Diamant. Pierre’s daughter, Helene, has worked alongside her father since 2006.

For June 17, England v Croatia: Inman Family Wines’ Kathleen Inman spent her early career living and working in England before planting grapes in the Russian River Valley, the first step in following her winemaking dream. Her Endless Crush Rosé, an ode to English hubby Simon, is always a good choice.

For June 18, Mexico v Korea: Proprietor Ana Keller of Keller Estate grew up in Mexico City and offers a lovely selection of Sonoma County wines from her Petaluma Gap estate. For summer, consider the La Cruz Vineyard Pinot Gris or Corazon Rosé of Pinot Noir. Theresa Heredia makes the wines.

For June 20, Tunisia v Japan: Tokyo-native Akiko Freeman of Freeman Vineyard & Winery grew up loving wine well before establishing herself in the Russian River Valley to make cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Associate Winemaker Eiji Daniel Akaboshi is also of Japanese descent, with lineage to Nagasawa Kanae, a Japanese immigrant who made wine at Fountaingrove Estate in the early 1900s.

Lots of matches, lots of wines to choose from. Let the games begin.

Photo By: FIFA