The scale is the point. Stevens has taken on similar projects around major international tournaments, but the expanded World Cup creates a much heavier logistical test than previous editions.
The report says the idea began at Euro 2020 and became a public project during the 2022 World Cup. The 48-team format now turns what was once a novelty into a full-tournament operation, with eliminations potentially arriving throughout the competition.
Based in London, the Brighton supporter reportedly relied on friends and family to source bottles from around the world. That network has extended from Sydney and Curaçao to Paraguay, while London’s specialist beer bars and international restaurants offer a useful home base.
His planned selection also has a clear personal touch. England’s beer is reportedly Affine, a Double IPA from Beak in Lewes. Scotland is represented by Vault City’s Tartan Brew, while Belgium’s entry is a large bottle of Delirium.
The project is not only about collecting labels. Each beer marks a result, turning the tournament bracket into a running record of football heartbreak and celebration.
The competition is scheduled to open on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa, beginning a tournament that will test both Stevens’ stockpile and his timing.
The next storyline will be whether his planning survives the unpredictable rhythm of international football-and whether the England beer is still waiting when the final whistle decides the champion.