First Touch ’26 - Japan

First Touch ’26 - Japan

Author: Kickback Soccer Media December 3, 2025 Duration: 16:54

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 eight straight World Cups, and becoming the first team to punch their ticket to 2026. We go back to the sport’s arrival in the 19th century, the influence of the manga Captain Tsubasa, the launch of the fully professional J.League in 1993, and the transformative impact of co-hosting the 2002 World Cup. Japan arrives in North America as Asia’s most methodically built powerhouse. Add in King Kazu’s legend, fans who clean the stadium after matches, and food facts ranging from KFC Christmas to polite noodle-slurping, and you’ve got one of the most unique football cultures at this World Cup.


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 - Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:57
Mexico has been the backdrop for some of the World Cup’s most iconic moments—and in 2026, El Tri host the tournament for a record third time, hoping home soil can spark another magical run. In this World Cup Capsule, Dav…
First Touch ’26 - Switzerland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:16
In the land of cheese, chocolate, and army knives, soccer is king—and Switzerland has deeper roots in the sport than most people realize. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass breaks down the story of The Nati: a foundin…
First Touch ’26 - Norway [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
The land of the Vikings is back on the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998—and Norway arrive as one of the tournament’s must-watch darlings, led by their modern-day “Jarl”: Erling Haaland. In this World Cup Cap…
First Touch ’26 - Portugal Featuring Eric Kraukaer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
A country of just 10 million people, Portugal has produced three Ballon d’Or winners—and in 2026 they might be the best bet to become the next new nation to lift the World Cup. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass break…
First Touch ’26 - Brazil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:05
Brazil. Five World Cups. One bright yellow jersey that means everything. In this World Cup Capsules episode, David Gass dives into The Seleção—the most decorated nation in World Cup history—and asks the question every fa…
First Touch ’26 - Colombia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:21
No country rides the emotional roller coaster of the World Cup quite like Colombia. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of Los Cafeteros—a team of dazzling highs and devastating lows, back on the bigges…
First Touch ’26 - Morocco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:38
There is no national team program hotter than Morocco right now. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass dives into how the Atlas Lions went from perennial underdogs to the new center of the soccer universe—a fourth-place…
First Touch ’26 - Algeria Featuring Dean Ammi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
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 histories on the planet. I…
First Touch ’26 - Netherlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:25
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 Capsule, David Gass breaks…