First Touch ’26 - Portugal Featuring Eric Kraukaer

First Touch ’26 - Portugal Featuring Eric Kraukaer

Author: Kickback Soccer Media December 30, 2025 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 breaks down how the Seleção went from late bloomers (just two World Cup appearances before 2002) to genuine “sharks” on the international stage, with insight from Portuguese-born commentator Eric Krakauer.

We trace the roots of the game in Portugal—English merchants, students returning from England, and the rise of the Taça de Portugal and Primeira Liga—then tell Portugal’s modern story through Eusébio, Luís Figo, and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose stardom helped transform the country’s global football identity.

From there, we relive Portugal’s greatest moment: Euro 2016, a pragmatic run that ended with a 1–0 extra-time win over France—powered by an unlikely hero after Ronaldo went down injured.

Looking ahead, we dig into Roberto Martínez’s challenge: managing the transition away from Ronaldo’s shadow as he heads toward what he’s said will be his final World Cup at age 41, and deciding what role he should play.

We spotlight PSG midfielder João Neves as a breakout candidate, plus 18-year-old Geovany Quenda as one to watch, and we get into the club-driven intensity of Portuguese football—Benfica, Sporting, and Porto dominating the league and shaping everything from fan identity to the country’s endless “clubism” debates.

Portugal land in Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan, and one more TBD opponent—with quarterfinals (and more) firmly in their sights if they get the Ronaldo equation right.


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]

Duration: 16:27
No country is more polarizing in modern football than Qatar. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass examines how a tiny, oil-rich Gulf state went from football afterthought to one of the game’s most influential players—fr…
First Touch ’26 - France [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
For most countries, just qualifying for the World Cup is a dream. For France, it’s World Cup trophy or failure. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass dives into the story of Les Bleus: a global powerhouse with two World…
First Touch ’26 - Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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

Duration: 13:23
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…