Whether you are a fútbol (soccer) fan or not, it's hard not to get excited about the World Cup. The amount of patriotism on display throughout this country is really nice to see. People packing into venues in Chicago, New York, and even my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, to watch soccer is something I never expected to see in my lifetime.

As I write this, the US just advanced out of the "group of death" and into the knockout round of competition. As the opening three games wind down it has given me a chance to reflect on what I have witnessed so far from a cigar perspective.

First of all, the best cigar match of the opening rounds was the game between Ecuador and Honduras. As I watched both teams struggle to score a goal against each other I couldn't help but think if cigars were the reason. After all, how do I choose between Honduran Corojo and delicious Ecuadorian Habano? Although Ecuador didn't advance out of the group stage, they did beat Honduras. Maybe it was the recent success of its Ecuadorian Connecticut tobacco that did the trick.

Honduran Corojo vs. Ecuadorian Connecticut

The most loaded cigar group had to be Group A ,which had Brazil, Mexico and Cameroon. Our African friends, known for their wonderful wrapper leaves, were the odd team out as they were eliminated early. It was Mexico and Brazil advancing to the knockout stage after fighting to a draw in their head to head matchup. I guess Mexico's San Andres Negra and Brazil's Mata Fina were just to close in quality for one to gain an advantage.

Mexico wrapper VS. Brazil wrapper

The final two cigar countries still in the hunt are Costa Rica and The United States of America. Now before you question Costa Rica as a player in the cigar industry, let me remind you that they are starting to emerge as a serious player. They grow some excellent wrapper in Costa Rica and I predict that they will be the next hot spot to supply wrapper leaf to the industry.

Of course we have to mention our home country. The Estados Unidos is definitely a player in the cigar world. We only grow the world’s most expensive and sought after wrapper leaf, Connecticut Shade. Throw in Connecticut Broadleaf and the growing popularity of cigar tobaccos from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and the U.S. has positioned itself quite nicely. Just like the U.S. Men's National Team, our cigar industry is out of the group of death and into the next round.

My prediction is that Brazil will reign supreme as far as the cigar countries go, but it's a country known for its wine production that will hoist the championship trophy. In the end Messi and Malbec will be just too much for Naymaar and Mata Fina. It is Argentina's year, but I will defer to one of our wine guys for more info concerning the fermented grape juice.

Just remember that whoever wins or loses, make sure you celebrate each game with a good cigar, no matter what country it comes from.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida regional manager, Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server

Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris