Taking place every four years, the FIFA World Cup sees 32 nations compete in the most iconic and prestigious competition in world soccer. Host nation Qatar will take their first-ever World Cup bow, while countries such as Canada and Wales return to soccer’s biggest stage after long absences.

While we will be keeping our eyes on the underdogs, it’s hard to look past the usual suspects and historical champions. The likes of five-time champions Brazil and current holders France will no doubt be fancying their chances at lifting the 18-karat gold trophy, valued at a whopping $20 million.

Of course, being crowned World Cup winner offers something money can’t buy — sporting immortality and the outburst of national pride and joy.

Many countries taking part also have a hand in some of the world’s finest stogies, which is why we’ve picked out six of the best ‘international winning blends’ from the qualified nations.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper Type: Brazilian Arapiraca

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Brazil / Nicaragua

Strength: Medium-Full

Sizes Available:

o Trinidad Espiritu Series 2 Belicoso (6.14 x 52)

o Trinidad Espiritu Series 2 Magnum (6 x 60)

o Trinidad Espiritu Series 2 Robusto (5 x 50)

o Trinidad Espiritu Series 2 Toro (6 x 55)

No country in history has more World Cups to its name than Brazil, romanticizing soccer with its joyful and flamboyant expression on the pitch. Celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Trinidad brand, the spirit of Brazil is the inspiration behind this exotic and flavorful collaboration between industry legends AJ Fernandez. and Rafael Nodal.

Dressed in a dark, zesty Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper and sporting a tropical-colored motif, it highlights the qualities of Brazilian tobacco alongside rich, earthy Nicaraguan tobacco. Once you’ve toasted your Trinidad Espiritu Series 2, enjoy a compelling medium to full-bodied flavor profile of black pepper, cream, peanut butter, and dark roast coffee.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper Type: Ecuador Habano

Binder: Mexico

Filler: Nicaragua

Strength: Medium

Sizes Available:

o Davidoff Winston Churchill (6.87 x 47)

o Davidoff Winston Petit Panatela (4 x 38)

o Davidoff Winston Toro 4-pack (6 x 54)

While England isn’t directly involved in the blend or manufacturing of this visually impressive cigar, the Davidoff Winston Churchill is a tribute to their famous war-time Prime Minister. Churchill (a well-known cigar connoisseur) died in 1965, a year before England’s sole World Cup success.

This rich, complex smoke is worthy of any celebration, with its reddish-brown Ecuador Habano wrapper enveloping a glorious 5-tobacco blend from prime regions around the world. A whirlwind of aromatic spices, almonds, and sweet cream alongside hints of wood and crisp fresh pear tastes even better with a pour of bourbon or rum.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper Type: Ecuador Connecticut Shade

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua

Strength: Medium

Sizes Available:

o Montecristo White Series Vintage Connecticut Churchill (7 x 54)

o Montecristo White Series Vintage Connecticut Toro (7 x 54)

USA failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia, bringing an end to their run of seven successive appearances. However, The Stars and Stripes will be present in Qatar, hoping to leave the tournament with a rich, creamy, satisfying taste in their mouth — much like the Montecristo White Series Vintage Connecticut.

A rich and sweet hay aroma sings from the beautiful golden-hued Connecticut Shade wrapper. There are also subtle hints of vanilla, dried nuts, espresso, and graham cracker sweetness that are accented by just the right amount of spice.

Outstanding construction and an easy draw with aromatic and consistent flavors throughout, light up your White Series, sit back, and get behind Gregg Berhalter and his team.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper Type: Ecuador Connecticut Shade

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua

Strength: Medium

Sizes Available:

o Sobremesa Brulee Double Corona 2020 (7 x 54)

o Sobremesa Brulee Double Gordo 2019 (6.25 x 60)

o Sobremesa Brulee Robusto 2019 (5.25 x 52)

o Sobremesa Brulee Toro 2019 (6 x 52)

Ecuador will be gracing soccer’s hallowed stage for the fourth time, hoping to eclipse their 2006 best-ever performance, where they finished in 12^th position. Skilfully handmade at the Joya de Nicaragua factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the Sobremesa Brulee gets its name from the cigar’s dessert-like sweetness.

Featuring a rare Mexican Matacapan binder, it’s packed with Nicaraguan tobacco from three of the country’s major tobacco-growing regions: Esteli, Condega, and Pueblo Nuevo.

The smooth, butterscotch Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper has a light, oily patina, and a pleasant grassy aroma. Once lit, this Steve Saka creation delivers sweetness in aplomb with mouthfuls of sweet cream, creamy hay, cinnamon, and nuts.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper Type: Cameroon

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Strength: Medium

Sizes Available:

o New World Cameroon by AJ Fernandez Churchill (7 x 48)

o New World Cameroon by AJ Fernandez Doble Robusto (5.50 x 54)

o New World Cameroon by AJ Fernandez Gordo (6 x 60)

o New World Cameroon by AJ Fernandez Short Robusto (4 x 48)

The Indomitable Lions are the most successful African nation in World Cup history, with Qatar being their eighth representation at the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.

The New World Cameroon is the first stogie in the AJ Fernandez portfolio to feature an authentic, pale brown Cameroon wrapper, notable for its characteristic slight grayish or greenish hue.

This cigar is spicy and smooth with a medium-bodied medley of nuts, black pepper, coffee, toasted cedar, and a caramel sweetness to the Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. It qualifies for any top cigar list on its own merit.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper Type: San Andrés Mexican

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Strength: Full

Sizes Available:

o Tatuaje Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition Belicoso (5 x 52)

o Tatuaje Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition Churchill (6.50 x 48)

o Tatuaje Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition Robusto (5 x 54)

o Tatuaje Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition Toro (5.75 x 50)

Another South American addition to our list comes from the Tatuaje Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition. The original Mexican Experiment (released in 2011) was one of Pete Johnson’s first forays into trialing a rustic-looking, dark and delicious Mexican San Andrés wrapper on a blend. Save for a touch more spice, the experiment follows the same hypothesis, with this full-bodied stick showcasing the same Nicaraguan binder and fillers.

Contrary to its name, the Mexican Experiment II Limited Edition is a regular-production release. There’s a lovely waft of maple syrup drifting from the foot, while lighting up produces exceptionally deep and dense flavors of chocolate, leather, pepper, and wood. Accompanied by a long cedar finish, save space for this rich and complex beauty in your line-up.