World Cup of drinking: group stage

Which country would win the World Cup if it was down to the amount they drank? Here's how this year's tournament would pan out, using WHO statistics.

Some big names fall at the first hurdle. Mexico may be known for tequila, but the team comes bottom of Group A behind Cameroon. Belgium's booze intake would have seen them top Groups C and F, but they are third behind hard drinking Russia and South Korea in Group H. A similar fate befalls the Dutch, who are outdrunk by Spain and Australia. Somehow the abstemious Japanese qualify second in Group C. England (with some help from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) top Group D. Iran and Algeria do not perform well.