Kickback '26

We're entering a new era at Kickback Soccer Media. David Gass and Susannah Fuller sit down to talk about two incredible new shows, and to meet our HUGE winter window signing...Matt Doyle!It's Kickback Soccer Media 2.0, and we can't wait to share this momentous soccer year for American soccer with you!Listen to our shows, subscribe our newsletter on: https://kickbacksoccer.com/Subscribe to TacticsFreeZone: https://tacticsfreezone.ghost.io/an-end-to-my-days-at-mls-and-my-plan-for-whats-next/

2026 could be the biggest year in the history of American soccer. As co-hosts of the largest World Cup ever, the U.S. men’s national team enters the tournament with real expectations—and a familiar question hanging over everything: is this finally the tipping point where the sport stops disappearing for four years at a time? In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass breaks down the full story of the Red, White, and Blue, with USMNT icon Clint Dempsey weighing in on what a deep run could mean for the country. We trace the surprisingly deep roots of the game in the United States—early leagues, the American Soccer League boom of the 1920s, and the chaos of the Soccer Wars—before jumping into the NASL fever dream, when Pelé, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and the Cosmos made soccer feel like the center of the sports universe. From there, we revisit the moments that built modern U.S. soccer: the legendary 1950 upset over England, the 1994 World Cup that changed fandom forever, and the roller coaster era from 2002’s quarterfinal run to “Go Go USA” in 2010, the 2014 Group of Death, and the 2018 failure that still stings. Then it’s all about now: a host nation with a golden generation in Europe, a new era under Mauricio Pochettino, and a squad trying to rediscover the edge that defined past U.S. teams. We spotlight Diego Luna as the young player to watch—fearless, feisty, and quickly becoming the fan favorite symbol of old-school USMNT grit—and we frame the stakes plainly: in a manageable Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and one more European opponent to be determined, anything less than a quarterfinal run on home soil will feel like a disappointment.

There are plenty of countries with rich soccer history, but you don’t get more “original power” than Uruguay. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass dives into La Celeste. The first true giant of the sport, built on garra charrúa, the national mindset of grit, fight, and doing whatever it takes to win. We trace Uruguay’s roots from British influence and the earliest clubs, to the oldest international rivalry outside the UK—the Clásico del Río de la Plata with Argentina—and the era when Uruguay essentially owned global football: Olympic gold in 1924 and 1928, then hosting and winning the first-ever World Cup in 1930. Then we jump to the modern era under Marcelo Bielsa—high press, high chaos, high belief—as Uruguay clinch qualification out of brutal CONMEBOL and head to 2026 with Federico Valverde as the new face of the team and a deep cast that includes Darwin Núñez, José María Giménez, Rodrigo Bentancur, and more. We spotlight a young difference-maker to watch (including Manuel Ugarte), honor forgotten icon José Leandro Andrade, and explain why Uruguay’s domestic passion—Peñarol vs Nacional—still powers a country of just a few million into World Cup relevance every generation.

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, David Gass explores Mexico’s deep football identity, its huge domestic league culture, and the enormous pressure of being a host nation—even if expectations for the current squad are lower than usual. We start at the roots: Cornish miners bringing the game to Real del Monte in the 1800s, the rise of organized leagues, and how the 1970 World Cup ignited the golden age of Liga MX—with massive crowds, playoff drama, and a club landscape that has dominated CONCACAF for decades. Then we hit Mexico’s World Cup history: early struggles, the host-fueled quarterfinal runs of 1970 and 1986, and the brutal modern reality of the “Fifth Game” curse—six straight Round of 16 exits from 1994–2014, followed by the shock group-stage elimination in 2022. On the road to 2026, we break down the constant coaching churn and the return of Javier Aguirre (for a third stint), now alongside Rafa Márquez as the succession plan. We look at the veteran core—Raúl Jiménez, Edson Álvarez, Santiago Giménez, Chucky Lozano—and spotlight teenage phenomenon Gilberto Mora as the young player to know. We also celebrate Mexico’s true superpower: the stage. From Estadio Azteca—one of football’s most legendary, intimidating venues—to the host city energy of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, Mexico will deliver the atmosphere. The big question is whether El Tri can deliver the run.

There is so much to love about South Africa’s national team—Bafana Bafana—from the energy on the pitch to the color and spirit in the stands. In this World Cup Capsule, Kiyan Singh, Kickback Committee's resident South African, takes you inside his home country’s long-awaited return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, and explains why this moment feels bigger than soccer itself. We trace the sport’s complicated history through colonialism and apartheid—from separate, racially divided football associations and a decades-long FIFA suspension, to the creation of a unified federation and South Africa’s re-entry onto the world stage in the early 1990s. Then we relive the national high of AFCON 1996, with Nelson Mandela lifting the trophy alongside the team, before revisiting the defining moment: South Africa 2010, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic opener against Mexico, and a tournament that helped put African football at the center of the global game. From there, we break down the road to 2026 under Hugo Broos, whose disciplined approach has restored belief—topping a qualifying group that included Nigeria—and spotlight the players shaping this new era, led by Lyle Foster and a rising pipeline of young talent. He honor national legend Benni McCarthy, explores the uniquely South African joy of Kasi Flava/Diski Magic, and set expectations for a Group A draw featuring hosts Mexico, South Korea, and a European opponent still to be determined.

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 founding FIFA member, a crossroads in football’s spread across Europe, and the quiet host nation that’s literally home to FIFA’s headquarters. We trace Switzerland’s early flashes of tournament success, their revival under Roy Hodgson in the 1990s, and the modern era defined by steady qualification and consistent knockout-round appearances—without ever producing a single “signature” World Cup moment. Then we jump to the road to 2026: Murat Yakin’s possession-first approach, a deep squad built on balance rather than superstar power, and a group that could set Switzerland up for yet another trip to the Round of 16—unless this is finally the year they break the ceiling. Along the way, we spotlight young midfielder Johan Manzambi as one to watch, revisit the legacy of Swiss icon Xherdan Shaqiri, and explore how immigration and multicultural identity have shaped the national team for generations.

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 Capsule, David Gass breaks down how the Norwegians turned a generation of talent into a true golden age, built around Haaland’s ruthless finishing and robot-like intensity, and Martin Ødegaard’s leadership and creativity from midfield.We trace the roots of Norwegian football—from the early clubs and the founding of the federation, to the quirks of a domestic game shaped by weather and geography—then revisit Norway’s previous World Cup moments, including the famous 1994 “four teams on four points” group and the iconic 1998 win over Brazil that sent them to the knockouts. From there, we jump into the road to 2026: Ståle Solbakken’s long, patient rebuild finally clicking into place, an 11-game surge through qualifying, and a side that suddenly looks balanced—dangerous going forward, and far stingier at the back than anyone expected.We spotlight RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa as the young player to know, pay tribute to Norwegian foundation-layers like John Arne Riise, and explore the country’s uniquely Norwegian football culture—from May 16th rivalry matchdays to some of the most photogenic pitches on earth. Drawn into a heavyweight group with Senegal and France, Norway have arrived with pressure, belief, and a superstar built for the biggest moments.

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.

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 fan is thinking: can Brazil finally win a sixth star in 2026? We rewind through the myth and the magic (including the unforgettable 2002 final in Yokohama) and reckon with the modern reality: a powerhouse that’s too often fallen short, from the heartbreak of 2014’s 7–1 to a run of quarterfinal exits.You’ll hear how Brazil qualified, what’s changed under Carlo Ancelotti, and why this squad, even with their elite talent, still hasn’t consistently looked like a true Brazil team. We also hit the key storylines: Neymar’s uncertain place, the veterans still hanging around, and the young breakout to watch: Estêvão. Plus, a celebration of Ronaldinho as the ultimate symbol of joy, flair, and “Joga Bonito,” and a look at how soccer is woven into daily life across Brazil.Brazil land in Group C (Morocco, Scotland, Haiti). Hype, pressure, expectation—let’s talk about what happens next.

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 biggest stage after an eight-year absence. We go from the game’s beginnings in Barranquilla and the wild “El Dorado” era, when Colombia briefly hosted the world’s best league, through the joyful, chaotic 1990s: Carlos Valderrama’s iconic hair and passes, René Higuita’s scorpion kick, the rising hopes of a new South American powerhouse—and the tragedy of Andrés Escobar’s own goal and murder, which scarred both the national team and the country’s image during the height of narco-football. Colombia ScriptFrom there, we fast-forward to the 2014 World Cup and James Rodríguez’s star turn, the choreographed celebrations that made Colombia everyone’s second team, and the painful 2022 qualifying failure that forced a reset. We break down the rebuild under manager Néstor Lopez, including a 28-game unbeaten streak, a Copa América final against Argentina, and a 2026 qualifying campaign that saw Colombia finish third in the brutal CONMEBOL gauntlet. With Luis Díaz now starring for Bayern Munich, James still pulling strings in a 4-3-1-2, and Yaser Asprilla emerging as the next great creative talent, Colombia arrive in a Group K clash with Uzbekistan, Portugal, and a yet-to-be-determined opponent eyeing another quarterfinal run. Along the way, we spotlight Valderrama as a national hero, the ferocious domestic rivalries that define Colombian football culture, and even why a country with 18 public holidays might just be the perfect home for the world’s most joyful fans.

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 finish at Qatar 2022, a women’s team in the World Cup knockouts, Olympic bronze, a U-20 world title, and now a run of hosting almost every major tournament on the calendar. We trace Morocco’s football story from the colonial split between French and Spanish zones and Wydad Casablanca’s landmark 1948 title, through their lone AFCON win in 1976 and decades of World Cup frustration, to the history-making 2022 run that saw them knock out Spain and Portugal, finish fourth, and donate their prize money to charities back home. On the road to 2026, we break down Walid Regragui’s evolution from deep-lying counterattacks to more confident, possession-based play, powered by world-class dual nationals like Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss, and rising star Eliesse Ben Seghir. With heavy investment in academies and infrastructure, a fierce club scene led by the Casablanca derby, and a record-breaking winning streak heading into a group with Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland, Morocco arrive not as a one-tournament fairy tale, but as a genuine World Cup contender expecting another deep run.

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. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces how the game arrived under French occupation in the late 1800s, how European settler clubs gave way to Algerian-run teams that doubled as hubs of cultural and anti-colonial resistance, and how the FLN’s exile team turned football into a weapon for independence. We relive the golden 1980s, the infamous “Disgrace of Gijón” in 1982 that forced FIFA to change its group-stage rules, and the 2014 run to the knockouts where Algeria took eventual champions Germany to extra time. From there we jump to a modern era defined by a massive diaspora talent pool and a new qualifying campaign where Vladimir Petković’s tactically flexible side—built around Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Aïssa Mandi and rising star Rayan Aït-Nouri—cruised through their group and now aims to turn continental pedigree into World Cup wins. Along the way, we spotlight Rabah Madjer’s backheel in the 1987 European Cup final, USM Alger’s recent continental success, and the way Algerian football continues to mirror the country’s broader struggles, pride, and sense of identity.

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 down the story of the Oranje, from Pim Mulier’s first club in the 1870s through the birth of Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV, to the rise of Total Football under Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. We relive the heartbreak of the 1974 and 1978 finals, the near-miss in 2010, the 5–1 demolition of Spain and Tim Krul shootout heroics in 2014, and the fiery “Battle of Lusail” against Argentina in 2022. On the modern side, we look at Virgil van Dijk as the calm, commanding face of the team, supported by stars like Memphis Depay, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and a new wave of talent including Xavi Simons, Ryan Gravenberch and Jurriën Timber. We unpack Ronald Koeman’s efficient, sometimes “uninspiring” but effective 4-3-3 variations, an undefeated qualifying campaign, and a Group F draw with Japan, Tunisia, and a yet-to-be-determined European side. Plus, we celebrate Cruyff the player, coach, and icon (right down to the Cruyff turn), the sea of orange that takes over every host city, and a country with more bikes than people still chasing the one trophy that’s always just out of reach.

Ghana is one of the World Cup’s true cult favorites: bright colors in the stands, big moments on the pitch, and a history of punching above their weight when it matters most. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of the Black Stars—from the game’s arrival with European merchants and the early AFCON glory years, to their late but spectacular World Cup debut in 2006 as the youngest squad at the tournament, beating both Czechia and the United States before falling to Brazil. We relive the heartbreak of 2010 against Uruguay, when Asamoah Gyan—Ghana’s all-time leading scorer and the top African scorer in World Cup history—missed a last-minute penalty that would have made Ghana the first African semifinalist, and how that near-miss still shapes the country’s footballing psyche today.

When you close your eyes and picture the World Cup, chances are you see Argentina—the blue and white shirts, Maradona’s bouncing curls, Messi’s smile with the trophy in his hands. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass dives into La Albiceleste: three-time champions, ever-present contenders, and the emotional heartbeat of the sport. We trace how immigrants and British (especially Scottish) workers helped build Argentina’s game in the late 1800s, from the founding of one of the world’s oldest leagues to the birth of La Nuestra—a style defined by skill, flair, and a little viveza criolla street cunning.From there, we walk through Argentina’s World Cup story: the first-ever final in 1930, hosting glory in 1978, Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” in 1986, the heartbreaks of 1990 and 2014, and Messi’s long, winding quest that finally ended with immortality in Qatar 2022. We then fast-forward to the road to 2026, where Lionel Scaloni’s balanced, hard-working side cruised through qualifying and now faces a looming handoff to a new generation. With Julián Álvarez stepping into superstardom, Alejandro Garnacho on the rise, and teenage phenomenon Franco Mastantuono already breaking records at River Plate and Real Madrid, we explore what Argentina’s “post-Messi” era might look like. Along the way, we hit Superclásico lore, cult heroes like Riquelme and El Trinche Carlovich, and the way fútbol, tango, politics, and daily life all blur together in one of the world’s most passionate football cultures.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass celebrates the return of a nation that helped invent modern football, exported the passing game around the globe, and produced managerial legends from Bill Shankly to Sir Alex Ferguson. We walk through Scotland’s long, chaotic history: the first ever international match in 1872, early World Cups, and two decades of “glorious failure” where qualification heartbreak became a national art form. Then we land in the present, where Steve Clarke has led Scotland to back-to-back Euros and now a long-awaited World Cup via a wild 4–2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park—complete with a Scott McTominay bicycle kick some are already calling the greatest Scottish goal ever. With Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn, and a new wave featuring winger Ben Doak, Scotland arrive as more than just a cult favorite. Add in the Tartan Army, one of football’s great traveling fan bases, and North America is about to learn exactly why “No Scotland, No Party” rings so true.

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.

Small but mighty, Croatia are the ultimate World Cup overachievers. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass tells the story of a national team less than three decades old that’s already reached three semifinals and one final—an absurd record for a country of under four million people. We trace how Croatian football grew out of the Yugoslav era, from Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb’s “Eternal Derby” and the legendary Torcida fan culture to independence, a brand-new domestic league, and a meteoric rise from 125th in the FIFA rankings to a third-place finish at France ’98.  From there, we relive the 2018 and 2022 runs powered by Luka Modrić’s genius, Zlatko Dalić’s pragmatic, players-first leadership, and a second “golden generation” that just refused to die, grinding through extra time and penalty shootouts on the biggest stage. We dig into Croatia’s youth development miracle—why they “only had one Modrić” and had to protect every fragile talent—highlighting rising center back Luka Vušković as the next big thing. Along the way, we hit Slaven Bilić’s outsized influence, the infamous Dinamo–Red Star riot that helped spark the independence struggle, and even the Croatian claim to inventing the necktie. With an aging core, a brutal group, and a country that expects deep runs now, this might be the last stand for one of the great modern World Cup stories. 

Belgium’s golden generation has come and gone, but the Red Devils still go as Kevin De Bruyne goes. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at how a reshaped Belgium is trying to move past the dysfunction and disappointment of 2022 and write a new story in North America. We track the rise from early Olympic success to the first golden age of the 1980s, then the star-studded 2014–2018 era that peaked with a third-place finish in Russia and four straight years as the No. 1 team in the world—before it all fell apart in Qatar. From Roberto Martínez’s messy exit and a fractured locker room to an unbeaten 2026 qualifying run under new manager Rudi Garcia, we break down how a leaner, less starry squad is being rebuilt around organization, transitions, and the still-brilliant De Bruyne. We spotlight winger Malick Fofana as the next big attacking threat, revisit Belgium’s comic-book culture from Tintin to the Smurfs, and ask whether a team freed from “golden generation” expectations might finally play its best football on the biggest stage. 

Is Football Coming Home?For England, every major tournament starts with that exact question. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass digs into the story of the Three Lions as they head into 2026 under new manager Thomas Tuchel, fresh off a flawless qualifying campaign with 22 goals scored and none conceded. We trace England’s role as the birthplace of modern football, the rise of the Premier League juggernaut, and a national team history defined as much by heartbreak—penalty shootouts, near-misses, and agonizing finals—as by its lone triumph of 1966. Along the way we relive Geoff Hurst’s legendary hat trick at Wembley, revisit the dark days of hooliganism and stadium disasters that reshaped the game, and break down Tuchel’s tactically flexible, front-foot system built around Harry Kane and a golden generation of young stars like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, and rising midfielder Elliot Anderson. With a football-obsessed nation behind them and expectations set at “deep knockout run or bust,” this is England’s latest attempt to finally turn potential into a second star.