First Touch ’26 - Australia featuring CB Miloš Degenek

First Touch ’26 - Australia featuring CB Miloš Degenek

Author: Kickback Soccer Media December 16, 2025 Duration: 14:05

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 immigrants in the late 1800s became a lifeline for migrant communities, producing ethnic clubs, a unique football culture, and eventually a national team known for its grit.

We revisit the golden generation of 2006—from the epic, drought-breaking playoff win over Uruguay and Mark Schwarzer’s penalty heroics to Tim Cahill’s historic World Cup goals—and follow Australia’s move from Oceania to the Asian confederation, an Asian Cup title on home soil, and six straight World Cup qualifications.

With former 2006 legend Tony Popovic now in charge, the Socceroos play a high-intensity pressing style, lean on veterans like Mathew Ryan and Milos Degenek (interviewed in this episode) and pin big hopes on rising stars Alessandro Circati and Nestory Irankunda as they head into a brutal group with the United States, Paraguay, and a European wildcard.

Along the way, we celebrate Aussie legends like Cahill, the sacrifices that got him to Europe, and even learn why Australia somehow has more camels than Egypt.


For fans feeling the growing buzz as the world turns toward North America, Kickback '26 is the essential audio companion. This podcast from Kickback Soccer Media digs into the long road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but it’s about far more than just counting down the days. Here, you’ll find a blend of rich storytelling and sharp, modern analysis that connects the tournament to the wider culture of the sport. The focus is on delivering distinct, American-driven perspectives that welcome everyone, from those just discovering soccer to lifelong devotees. Each episode serves as a guide, exploring the narratives, personalities, and strategic shifts that are defining this unique moment in time. It’s about placing the upcoming World Cup within a larger context, examining how the game is evolving both on and off the pitch. By weaving together premium audio documentaries, candid discussions, and cultural commentary, this series creates a comprehensive portrait of soccer’s present and future. The journey through this podcast doesn’t end with the final whistle in 2026; it looks ahead to the legacy the tournament will leave and the stories that will continue to unfold. Tune in for an inclusive, thoughtful, and deeply engaging take on the beautiful game as it builds toward its biggest stage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 70

Kickback '26
Podcast Episodes
First Touch ’26 - Qatar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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First Touch ’26 - France [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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First Touch ’26 - Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 to qualifying for eig…
First Touch ’26 - Senegal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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 Capsule, David Gass traces…
First Touch ’26 - New Zealand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:33
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 World Cup Capsule, Davi…
First Touch ’26 - Ecuador [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:54
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 "La Tri" have quietly b…
First Touch ’26 - Uzbekistan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:45
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 Wolves: a team long haunte…
First Touch ’26 - Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:52
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 of the oldest football…
First Touch ’26 - Curaçao [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:22
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 the tournament, from…