First Touch '26 World Cup Podcast

Algeria might be best known to casual U.S. fans as the team on the wrong end of Landon Donovan’s “Go Go USA” moment in 2010—but the Fennec Foxes have one of the richest, most political football histor...

21 Dec 202515min

The Dutch have perfected and even revolutionized the game—yet somehow, the Netherlands are still the greatest nation never to win a World Cup. Will 2026 finally be their time? In this World Cup Capsul...

20 Dec 202516min

Ghana is one of the World Cup’s true cult favorites: bright colors in the stands, big moments on the pitch, and a history of punching above their weight when it matters most. In this World Cup Capsule...

19 Dec 202511min

When you close your eyes and picture the World Cup, chances are you see Argentina—the blue and white shirts, Maradona’s bouncing curls, Messi’s smile with the trophy in his hands. In this World Cup Ca...

18 Dec 202514min

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass celebrates the return of a nation that helped invent modern football, exported the passing game around the globe, and produced managerial legends from Bill Shankl...

17 Dec 202512min

Australian football has always been defined by a “never say die” mentality—and the 2026 Socceroos will need every bit of it. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces how a sport brought by British...

16 Dec 202514min

Small but mighty, Croatia are the ultimate World Cup overachievers. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of a national team less than three decades old that’s already reached three se...

15 Dec 202515min

Belgium’s golden generation has come and gone, but the Red Devils still go as Kevin De Bruyne goes. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at how a reshaped Belgium is trying to move past the dys...

14 Dec 202511min