Winning Dishes to Celebrate the World Cup

Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaal! As the best players in the world gather for the 2018 World Cup, we've assembled essential dishes to celebrate some of FIFA's top national teams. Score major points with these kicky sweet and savory recipes.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2012, Television Food Network, GP. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Evan Sung for The New York Times

Spain: The Ultimate Paella

Tyler's paella is a surf and turf of chicken, chorizo and plenty of seafood. Turn up the heat for the authentic slightly charred bottom — called socarrat — that will transport your guests to Madrid and back.

Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Paella

Germany: Beer-Braised Brisket

Germans are serious about their meat, their beer and their second-ranked soccer team. Take advantage of all three with this slow-cooked brisket, which calls for a marinade of dark German beer. 

Get the Recipe: Beer Braised Brisket

Brazil: Brigadeiros

Brigadeiros, considered the national truffles of Brazil, are an ideal World Cup treat. To step up the team spirit, grab paper candy cups in your favorite team's colors.

Get the Recipe: Traditional and Pink Brigadeiros

Portugal: Filos (Traditional Doughnuts)

Christmas comes early for Portugal fans. A traditional holiday delicacy, these Portuguese doughnuts are lightly dusted with sugar and taste best after a quick dunk in coffee.

Get the Recipe: Doris Spacer's Filos (Portuguese Doughnuts)

Argentina: Chicken and Olive Empanadas

These savory hand pies are the perfect party snack for Argentina matches. Though each province has a different favorite filling, this olive-studded chicken variety is particularly popular. Serve it with chimichurri salsa for an extra kick.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Olive Empanadas with Chimichurri Sauce

Switzerland: Muesli Parfait

When Switzerland takes the field, serve up this perfect brunch food, which was invented by a Swiss physician around 1900 and takes advantage of ultra-seasonal berries.

Get the Recipe: Muesli Parfaits

Uruguay: La Cecina

Cecina, also known in Uruguay as fainá, is a traditional chickpea pancake used for flatbreads and pizzas. David Rocco seasons the mix with olive oil and pepper and bakes it on a pizza pan to serve with a variety of spreads.

Get the Recipe: La Cecina

Colombia: Arepas with Cheese and Corn

This flat maize patty is a staple in many South American countries, but particularly in Colombia. To make it at home, fold corn kernels, scallion, cilantro and chile into cheese-laced cornmeal and cook the rounds until golden brown.

Get the Recipe: Arepas with Cheese and Corn

England: Alton's Cranberry Scones

If your guests favor the English, turn game time into teatime with these quick and easy scones. Alton adds dried cranberries or currants to a cream-and-sugar dough and cuts the batter into even biscuit rounds.

Get the Recipe: Scones