First Touch ’26 - Iraq

First Touch ’26 - Iraq

Author: Kickback Soccer Media May 13, 2026 Duration: 17:37

Iraq is headed back to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years after one of the longest and most dramatic qualification journeys in the world. Valair Shabilla explores how soccer became a source of unity and hope through decades of war, hardship, and political turmoil, from the unforgettable 2007 Asian Cup triumph to the celebrations that followed qualification for 2026. Plus, a look at Iraq’s current squad, the rise of dual-national talent, legendary captain Younis Mahmoud, and what this return to the world stage means for Iraqis around the world.


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: 61

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

Duration: 11:49
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 Capsule, David Gass tr…
First Touch ’26 - Haiti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:51
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 country in deep political…
First Touch ’26 - Paraguay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:22
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 Alliance and lives on…
World Cup Draw Group By Group Analysis x Kickback '26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:30
Kickback 26 is your front-row seat to the 2026 World Cup. Hosted by David Gass, Claudia Pagan, Heath Pearce, and Eric Krakauer, this podcast breaks down every World Cup group with a mix of tactical insight, big-picture c…
First Touch ’26 - Spain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:14
Spain has only lifted the World Cup once, but La Roja seem omnipresent in every tournament conversation—and 2026 will be no different. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces the arc from Spain’s 19th-century footba…
First Touch ’26 - Saudi Arabia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:25
They shocked the world by toppling Messi’s Argentina in 2022; now Saudi Arabia is trying to prove that was no one-off. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of the Green Falcons—from the early days of Eng…
First Touch ’26 - Egypt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:57
Egypt helped invent African football greatness, but the World Cup has never quite gone their way. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass charts the Pharaohs’ journey from early Olympic pioneers and 1934 World Cup trailbla…
First Touch ’26 - Iran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:14
It’s hard to find a place where politics and football are more tightly intertwined than Iran. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces how Team Melli has become a symbol of both state power and public resistance—from…
First Touch ’26 - Austria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:46
Once home to the “Wunderteam” and the legendary Matthias Sindelar, Austria’s greatest football tales used to live in black and white. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass connects that glorious past: 1930s brilliance, a…
First Touch ’26 - Ivory Coast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:01
For many fans, Ivory Coast will always be the land of Drogba, the Touré brothers, and a golden generation that helped pause a civil war and made the Elephants a global cult favorite. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass…