Podcast Episodes

First Touch ’26 - Japan

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Episode 7

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No national team on earth has built their modern football project quite like Japan. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass breaks down how the Samurai Blue went from late arrivals on the global stage …

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - Senegal

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Episode 6

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Step into Senegal and you immediately feel teranga: the Wolof concept of warmth, welcome, and generosity and nowhere is that spirit more alive than with the Lions of Teranga. In this World Cup Capsul…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - New Zealand

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Episode 5

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The tiny island nation at the edge of the world, New Zealand is famous for the All Blacks, the second most dominant team in rugby history. But in 2026, it’s the All Whites chasing history. In this Wo…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - Ecuador

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Episode 4

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For decades, Ecuadorian football has wrestled with belief, from being late to the World Cup party, short on trophies, but always rich in passion. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass explores how "L…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - Uzbekistan

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Episode 3

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Once a Soviet republic and Silk Road crossroads, Uzbekistan has become one of world football’s most fascinating late bloomers. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of the White Wolve…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - Canada

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Episode 2

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The world is coming to Toronto and Vancouver, and Canada is determined to prove they are a soccer nation, not just a hockey one. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass unpacks how a country with one o…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

First Touch ’26 - Curaçao

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Episode 1

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Curaçao: beaches, blue water… and the biggest underdog story of the 2026 World Cup. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass dives into how the “Blue Wave” became the smallest nation ever to qualify for…

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Published on 1 week, 6 days ago