1. 2:55 News On Under Fire World Cup Managers
2. 5:10 Recap Of World Cup Playoffs
3. 15:37 Valair Shabilla Takes Us On The Ground To Iraq vs Bolivia
4. 20:30 Esmir Bajraktarevic, Bosnia & Italy's Pain w/Michele Giannone

1:47 Bosnia's Coach Calls Out Welsh Club Coach Steve Cooper

3:28 Ben White's England Return

4:04 Nike's World Cup Kit Release

5:13 Boston Globe's Chris Serres On World Cup Preperations

15:12 Norway's Golden Generation w/Antonio Nusa & Pa-Modou Kah

25:03 DR Congo 1974 World Cup Moment

1:40 News AFCON, Finalissima & Neymar's Brazil Time Coming To An end

5:19 World Cup Playoff Preview w/Musa Okwonga Both UEFA & Intercontinental

28:55 Greatest Stories & Moments In Playoff History

51:00 Too Early World Cup Prediction

1:15 Global Soccer News

3:50 Valair Shabilla On Iraqs Travel Concerns & Iran World Cup Play

11:55 Reliving 1998 World Cup Final France vs Brazil

28:15 Forgotten Legend Egyptian Great Mohamed Aboutrika

If you want to relive the 1998 Final in person. Brazil and France will be going toe to toe at Gillette Stadium on March 26th click here for tickets

Make sure to subscribe to Jon's newsletter, Getting CONCACAFed here!

1. 3:25 Jon Arnold On Curacao Manager Change & Future Of CONCACAF
2. 12:57 Brampton Ontario Soccer Powerhouse w/ Bobby Smyrniotis
3. 19:30 Austrian Legend The Mozart Of Football

If you want to hear more from Michael Lewis his newest book looking back on 40 years of soccer coverage is available now here.

1. 2:38 Alex Abnos (The Guardian) On Potential World Cup Boycott
2. 14:32 Story Of The USA's Failed 1986 World Cup Hosting Bid
3. 24:30 South Korea's Gold Medal Curse

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It's Kickback Soccer Media 2.0, and we can't wait to share this momentous soccer year for American soccer with you!

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

From 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

We revisit the Miracle of Bern in 1954, the politically charged 1974 win as hosts, reunified glory in 1990, and the ruthless 7–1 demolition of Brazil in 2014 that still haunts an entire country. From Nazi-era erasures to today’s Julius-Hirsch-Preis, we also look at how Germany reckons with its past through football.

Fast-forward to Julian Nagelsmann’s high-pressing, tactically flexible side, fresh off a promising Euro 2024 on home soil but still searching for consistency against Europe’s elite. With veterans like Joshua Kimmich joined by rising stars Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and breakout Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade, Germany arrive in 2026 as dangerous “non-favorites”—which might be the most frightening version of them yet.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass looks at the Taeguk Warriors’ 11th straight appearance on the world stage and what could be the last dance for beloved superstar Son Heung-min. We relive the fairy-tale of 2002: co-hosting with Japan, Guus Hiddink’s revolutionary methods, a golden run through Italy and Spain, and the explosion of the Red Devils fan culture that helped launch the Korean Wave worldwide. From the Royal Navy’s first kickabouts in the 1880s to the modern K League’s record attendances, we chart how football became part of South Korea’s national story. Then we break down a turbulent recent era—Jurgen Klinsmann’s short, chaotic tenure, an Asian Cup meltdown, and the return of legend Hong Myung-bo—plus a stacked core featuring Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, and teenage star-in-waiting Yang Min-Hyeok. It’s a deep dive into a team stuck between group-stage frustration and quarterfinal ambition, trying to write one more magical chapter for Sonny.  

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass unpacks how a country better known for Petra and the Jordan River quietly built a serious football culture, from British-introduced games in the 1920s and early regional success to near-misses like the 2014 playoff defeat to Uruguay. We revisit the rise of domestic giants Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat and how their fierce rivalry reflects deeper questions of identity and community.

Then we follow Jordan’s breakthrough run: an Asian Cup final in 2023, a nervy coaching change, and a third-round qualifying campaign where a disciplined defense and clutch wins over Oman and Iraq edged them into 2026 just behind South Korea. Up front, poacher Ali Olwan headlines a growing group of overseas-based players ready to shock bigger names. For a nation with no prior World Cup history, this feels like the start of something much bigger than one tournament.

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass explores how football grew under French occupation, how early Tunisian-only clubs became hubs of resistance, and how a strong domestic league laid the foundation for one of Africa’s most consistent performers. We revisit historic milestones: the first ever World Cup win by an African team in 1978, the long group-stage curse, and the cathartic 2022 victory over France that still wasn’t enough to escape their group.

From there we break down a flawless 2026 qualifying campaign in which Tunisia became the first team ever to reach the World Cup without conceding a goal, powered by a blend of homegrown talent and dual nationals inspired by Morocco’s model. Under Sami Trabelsi’s organized 4-3-3/4-2-3-1, goals and responsibilities are shared, with fiery midfielder Hannibal Mejbri embodying the next generation’s energy. This is Tunisia’s bid to turn quiet consistency into a genuine knockout-round breakthrough.  

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces the Blue Sharks’ rise from post-independence minnows to AFCON regulars and, finally, first-time World Cup qualifiers. We explore how a country of just over half a million people used its vast diaspora—stretching from Portugal and Rotterdam to New England and Ireland—to build a competitive squad, recruiting players on LinkedIn and in lower European leagues while investing in new training facilities with FIFA funding. Manager Bubista’s insistence that Cape Verdean Creole be the “official language” of the team has forged a strong shared identity, even as dual nationals flood in. We revisit 2013 and 2023 AFCON upsets, the dramatic qualifying win over Eswatini, and spotlight forward Dailon Livramento, whose goals clinched their ticket. From half-day national holidays to parties in Brockton and Lisbon, this is the story of the smallest World Cup nation punching far above its weight. 

We go back to 1974 and Emmanuel Sanon’s iconic goal that ended Dino Zoff’s record shutout streak, then fast-forward through earthquake-era heartbreak, Gold Cup parties, and a qualifying campaign where every “home” game was on neutral soil. With insight from defender Duke LaCroix, we relive the final matchday miracle that saw Haiti top their group, huddled around a phone waiting on other results, and meet the new heroes: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Frantzdy Pierrot, and rising wingers Rúben Providence and Don Deedson Louicius. It’s a story of exile, diaspora, and a national team that keeps finding ways to dance in the dark.

From William Paats bringing a ball back from Buenos Aires and founding Club Olimpia, to quarterfinal glory at the 2010 World Cup and a Copa América final reached without a single win in regulation, Paraguay’s story is one long lesson in survival.

If you want to understand why Paraguay’s stadium is called Defensores del Chaco—and why no lead is safe against them—this episode is your guide.

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01:35 - Group A

12:01 - Group B

18:59 - Group C

27:12 - Group D

35:07 - Group E

39:35 - Group F

43:00 - Group G

46:37 - Group H

48:58 - Group I

52:02 - Group J

56:01 - Group K

59:22 - Group L

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass traces how Team Melli has become a symbol of both state power and public resistance—from the 1998 “game of peace” win over the United States, to the emotionally charged 2022 rematch played amid the Mahsa Amini protests and reports of pressure from the regime.

We walk through Iran’s rise as a three-time Asian Cup champion, the disruption of the revolution and Iran–Iraq war, and their modern identity as a defensively solid, hard-to-beat side under Amir Ghalenoei, whose record is among the best in international football. With a strong domestic league, a huge diaspora talent pool, emerging attacking threats like Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, and legends like Ali Daei looming in the background, this feels like Iran’s best chance yet to finally break the World Cup group-stage ceiling—if off-field politics don’t get in the way. 

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass connects that glorious past: 1930s brilliance, a 1954 semifinal run, and the “Miracle of Córdoba” win over West Germany, to a modern side finally returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. We explore how Ralf Rangnick, the godfather of gegenpressing and long-time Red Bull architect, has transformed Das Team into a high-energy, front-foot pressing machine that routinely punches above its weight in Europe.

With veteran stars David Alaba and Marko Arnautović still central, a growing supporting cast from top clubs, and midfield engine Nicolas Seiwald embodying Austria’s relentless style, this is a team nobody will enjoy facing in North America. The days of Austrian football being just a historical curiosity are over. 

In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass revisits that era and then shifts to the present, where Côte d’Ivoire enter 2026 as defending African champions and one of the continent’s most exciting teams. We track their evolution from early AFCON contenders to three-time champions, including two epic penalty-shootout wins over Ghana, then relive their improbable AFCON 2024 triumph on home soil. Qualifying for 2026 without conceding a single goal, Ivory Coast now blends stars from Europe’s biggest leagues with a strong domestic pipeline and dual-national pickups, with Amad Diallo and Franck Kessié leading the new wave. After missing the last two World Cups, the Elephants are back—and anything less than the knockout rounds will feel like a disappointment.

Then we fast-forward to a 2026 qualifying campaign where Thomas Christiansen’s organized, “stubborn” side leaned on structure, defensive grit, and sharp transitions to get back to the big stage. With a veteran core, CONCACAF-hardened experience, and midfield heartbeat Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla now starring in Liga MX, Los Canaleros arrive in a familiar time zone with unfinished business. 

It’s a deep dive into how money, development, and identity collide when a nation tries to buy—not just host—its place at football’s top table.