Competition will take place in eighteen categories at the WBMC 09. Discerning fans will notice that the categories are heavily weighted toward upper-lip hair, with fully eight of the categories featuring various forms of moustaches, although two of these categories (FuManchu and Musketeer) are included within the "partial beards" subdivision.

This fact alone may well allow Germany to continue its domination of the WBMC despite the large number of truly outstanding beards and moustaches BTUSA members have grown for America. Having invented the game and defined the rules, the German clubs and their members tend to grow facial hair designed to conform to a specific model as defined by the category descriptions. Meanwhile for most BTUSA members facial hair is more an expression of individuality and non-conformity, so members are encouraged to grow the hair they like best and then enter the category where they happen to fit. Since moustaches like the "Dali" and "English" are not the choice of very many Americans, it would be unrealistic for BTUSA to be truly competitive in all of the categories. Nevertheless, we are hoping to make our best showing ever.

Click on any category name or icon for a category-by-category analysis of the competition written by the founder and self-appointed captain of Beard Team USA, Phil Olsen. If you would like an objective analysis, you will have to write that yourself.