Podcast Episodes

First Touch ’26 - Croatia

Episode 27

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 s…

Published on an hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Belgium

Episode 26

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 dy…

Published on 1 day, 3 hours ago

First Touch ’26 - England

Episode 25

Is Football Coming Home?

For England, every major tournament starts with that exact question. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass digs into the story of the Three Lions as they head into 2026 under …

Published on 2 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Germany

Episode 24

For generations, the World Cup script was simple: 22 players chase a ball for 90 minutes and, somehow, Germany end up in the semifinal. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces how Die Mannschaft…

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - South Korea

Episode 23

South Korea doesn’t just show up at World Cups. They live there.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at the Taeguk Warriors’ 11th straight appearance on the world stage and what could be the …

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Jordan

Episode 22

The World Cup has a new debutant: Jordan’s Al-Nashama, “the chivalrous ones,” finally stepping onto the biggest stage.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass unpacks how a country better known for Pet…

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Tunisia

Episode 21

Tunisia are about to play their seventh World Cup—more than almost any African nation—but the Eagles of Carthage still feel oddly overlooked.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass explores how footba…

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Cape Verde

Episode 20

To find Cape Verde on a map, you have to keep zooming in. This is what the football world has had to do to understand: how the tiny Atlantic archipelago became a World Cup nation.

In this World Cup C…

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Haiti

Episode 19

No team at this World Cup carries a heavier off-field burden, or a purer sense of joy, than Haiti. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of the Grenadiers’ impossible run from a count…

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago

First Touch ’26 - Paraguay

Episode 18

Some national teams have flair; Paraguay has garra guaraní: Guaraní grit. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass digs into how La Albirroja’s identity was forged in the fires of the War of the Triple …

Published on 3 days, 1 hour ago