Inside the Brazil vs. Norway World Cup Match: What We Saw on the Ground at One of the Year’s Biggest Sporting Events

World Cup 2026

From pre-game drinks at the beer garden to a packed stadium collectively sweating together, here's everything that happened at the game

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It’s no secret that 2026 has been a dream year for sports. Between the Winter Olympics, the Knicks’ historic NBA Finals win, and now the FIFA World Cup, sports fans’ cups runneth over — both literally and figuratively, thanks to Michelob ULTRA, which has served as the official beer sponsor for all three events. It’s the kind of lineup every brand works toward, and the iconic beer company has pulled out all the stops to deliver unique spectacles worthy of each major moment.

Michelob ULTRA

Available in packs of 8, 12, 18, 24, and 30.

So when Michelob ULTRA invited me to the Brazil v. Norway World Cup match on Sunday, July 5, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, it was an immediate yes.

Upon arrival at MetLife, Michelob ULTRA’s presence was immediately known. Not only was the majority of the crowd walking around with a beer in hand, but just past the entrance gates stood a towering Michelob beer garden, complete with music, a photo opportunity, and, of course, plenty of drinks. It served as the perfect meetup spot for fans to meet up and grab a drink before the game. Even though kickoff wasn’t until 4 pm, the beer garden already had lines forming by 1:30 pm. People were excitedly snapping photos together, chanting, and dancing around. At one point, a mixed group of Norway and Brazil fans dropped to the ground in the beer garden and broke out into a Norway-Viking row. If the vibe outside the stadium was any indication of what was to come, it was bound to be a rowdy afternoon.

Global Scarves Brazil vs. Norway 2026 FIFA World Cup Matchup Scarf

Order the official Norway vs. Brazil scarf at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Stepping inside the stadium, you could feel the nervous energy as fans made their way to their seats. The fact that the game came at the tail end of a record heatwave wasn’t the only thing causing fans to sweat (though it was HOT) — it was the anticipation of yet another knockout match. The stadium was mostly filled with Brazil fans donning yellow, though the Norway fans certainly showed up and showed out in red. Once in your seats, it was non-stop cheering. And if you thought this was a sitting sporting event, think again: the entire stadium was on its feet the entire match.

The energy was absolutely electric, and you couldn’t help but become fast friends with the people sitting next to you (assuming you were cheering for the same team, that is). Whether you spoke English, Portuguese, or Norwegian, everyone was cheering and chanting together as one. I mean, friends who sweat together stay together, right? Did I mention how hot it was yet? Multiple times, I witnessed someone come back from the bar with extra Michelob ULTRA bottles in hand to pass them out to the people around them, just to be generous. While most people drank the classic superior light beer, the brand also offered NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer and, for sober fans or those trying to drink in moderation, the popular Michelob ULTRA ZERO.

As with nearly every World Cup match thus far, Sunday’s game also welcomed several celebrities to the stadium, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Chris Rock, and more.

While I was personally rooting for Brazil, Norway came out ahead, winning 1-2. It was only fitting, then, that Erling Haaland, who scored both goals for his team, was awarded the Superior Player of the Match trophy, which is awarded to a standout player after every match via fan vote.

The award also “celebrates four years of training, unforgettable plays, and hard-fought battles,” said Ricardo Marques, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Michelob ULTRA. “This design stands as a tribute to the dedication, passion, and excellence of the players who will lift it this summer.”

The World Cup is currently in the Round of 16 and will continue until an ultimate winner is decided on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium.

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