First Touch '26 World Cup Podcast

One quarterfinal is in the books and David Gass, Matt Doyle and Michele Giannone are back to break down France's convincing 2-0 win over Morocco as Kylian Mbappé delivered another standout performance to send Les Bleus into the semifinals. Then they preview Spain vs. Belgium before checking in on the latest news in and around the World Cup. 0:00 Intro 2:12 VAR Check on Mbappé Penalty 11:10 Mbappé:...

Morocco and France kick off the World Cup quarterfinals as David Gass, Matt Doyle and Michele Giannone preview one of the tournament's biggest matchups. Can the Atlas Lions continue their dream run against France's star-studded attack of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise? The crew breaks down the key tactical battles, what each team needs to do to advance and who they're picking to...

We are down to 8 as the quarterfinal matchups are now set for the World Cup. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Matt Doyle break down the final Round of 16 matches, including another dramatic comeback from Messi and Argentina against Egypt and Switzerland's penalty shootout win over Colombia after a scoreless draw. The crew also reveals its Best XI of the tournament so far, looks back at how the hos...

The USMNT's World Cup run is over after a tough loss to Belgium. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer break down what went wrong, what comes next for the U.S. plus they look at Spain’s win over Portugal. Then they preview Argentina vs. Egypt and Colombia vs. Switzerland as the final quarterfinal spots are decided. 0:00 Intro 3:02 USMNT Pride & Balogun Controversy Effect 8:20 The Future of...

The drama continued with a wild night at the Azteca as England escaped past Mexico, while Erling Haaland and Norway stunned Brazil to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down both Round of 16 thrillers before looking ahead to a massive day featuring the USMNT against Belgium, including the controversial decision surrounding Folarin...

Morocco and France punched their tickets to the World Cup quarterfinals. David Gass, Eric Krakauer and Matt Doyle break down both Round of 16 matches before looking ahead to Sunday's blockbuster showdowns between Brazil and Norway and Mexico and England. The trio also gives their picks for the Golden Ball, Golden Glove, the Best Young Player and the best defender of the tournament. 0:00 Intro 2:49...

The Round of 32 came to a dramatic close as the knockout stage delivered more unforgettable moments. David Gass, Eric Krakauer and Michele Giannone break down Cape Verde's incredible performance that nearly knocked out Messi and Argentina, Egypt surviving a tense penalty shootout against Australia and Colombia cruising past Ghana to book its place in the Round of 16. The crew also previews Canada'...

David Gass, Eric Krakauer, and Matt Doyle break down Portugal's dramatic victory over Croatia, Spain's dominant win over Austria and Switzerland winning a knockout game for the first time in 88 years as the Round of 32 continued at the World Cup. Then they preview Argentina vs. Cape Verde, Australia vs. Egypt and Colombia vs. Ghana with the final three Round of 16 spots up for grabs. 0:00 Intro 3:...

The USMNT is headed to the Round of 16! David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the USA’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Harry Kane delivering for England and Belgium surviving a wild battle with Senegal. Plus, they look at the updated bracket and preview Thursday's Round of 32 matchups: Spain vs. Austria, Portugal vs. Croatia and Switzerland vs. Algeria. 0:00 Intro 2:28 3 Big...

Another big day at the World Cup is in the books. David Gass and Matt Doyle break down France, Norway and Mexico advancing to the Round of 16 before previewing the USMNT's win-or-go-home clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plus, Tom Bogert joins from USMNT camp with the latest ahead of kickoff. 0:00 Intro 2:45: Mexico explodes at the Azteca 31:43 Haaland finds a late winner 39:33 Mbappe and Olise s...

The World Cup delivered its wildest day yet as Brazil survived, Germany crashed out on penalties and Morocco eliminated the Netherlands. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Michele Giannone break down the biggest moments before turning their attention to Tuesday's Round of 32, where France faces Sweden, Mexico hosts Ecuador at the Azteca and Ivory Coast takes on Norway. 0:00 Intro 1:47 3 Big Things 9:25 Br...

David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer break down the complete Round of 32 bracket and make their picks for the rest of the FIFA World Cup. They also react to Canada's historic first-ever World Cup knockout win before previewing Monday's Round of 32 matches, including Brazil vs. Japan, Germany vs. Paraguay and Netherlands vs. Morocco. 0:00 Intro 2:54 Round of 32 Bracket Picks 28:13 Canada's Hist...

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is here! Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the final day of the group stage, including Colombia's statement performance to finish ahead of Portugal, the dramatic finish in Group J, Argentina's perfect group stage, and what the completed Round of 32 bracket tells us. Plus, they debate the tournament favorites, preview Canada vs. South Africa, and m...

The race for the Round of 32 is nearly complete. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer discuss Cape Verde making history by reaching the knockout stage in its World Cup debut, Senegal keeping its hopes alive, and Norway's outlook heading into the knockout rounds. Then they preview Portugal vs. Colombia and break down the decisive finales in Groups J and L. 0:00 Intro 2:16 3 Big Things 10:19 Bel...

The World Cup group stage is nearing its conclusion as the Round of 32 begins to take shape. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the USMNT's group stage finale, Ecuador's dramatic push into the knockout rounds, the Netherlands winning Group F and the biggest storylines from Groups D, E and F. Plus, they look ahead to the decisive matches that will complete the knockout bracke...

Vini Jr. leads Brazil to the top of Group C, Canada reaches the knockout rounds despite defeat, and South Africa celebrates a historic World Cup moment. Jordan Angeli, David Gass and Matt Doyle break down the biggest results from the day, including Mexico's perfect group stage, before previewing the USMNT's decisive Group D finale against Türkiye. Plus, the crew breaks down the knockout scenarios...

Cristiano Ronaldo makes more history, England falls flat and Croatia keeps its World Cup hopes alive. David Gass, Jordan Angeli and Michele Giannone break down the biggest stories from Matchday 13 before previewing a decisive day of simultaneous group finales. Canada faces a win-and-in showdown with Switzerland, Brazil and Morocco battle for Group C positioning, and the race for second place behin...

Lionel Messi made history for Argentina, Algeria kept its World Cup hopes alive and France booked its place in the knockout rounds on Day 12 of the tournament. David Gass, Jordan Angeli and Matt Doyle break down all the action before turning their attention to Day 13, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal face mounting pressure, England takes on Ghana, Colombia meets DR Congo and Croatia looks to b...

Spain finally found their scoring touch against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde continued their stunning World Cup run, and Belgium stumbled again as the drama ramped up on Day 11 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. David Gass, Jordan Angeli, and Michele Giannone break down all the biggest stories from the day, project the USMNT lineup for its showdown with Türkiye, welcome Volair Shabila to discuss Iraq's tourn...

David Gass and Michele Giannone are back talking about all the action from Day 10, including a rout by the Netherlands against Sweden, Germany punching its ticket to the next round against Ivory Coast and a historic scoreless draw between Curaçao and Ecuador. The pair plays another game of Buy or Sell this time looking at the Mexico, Canada and the USA and look ahead to a pressure-filled day as ev...

The United States is through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup! David Gass and Michele Giannone are back to discuss Alex Freeman’s breakout performance and look ahead to the USA’s last group game and beyond. Plus, Paraguay earns a dramatic victory despite playing down a man, Türkiye faces mounting frustration, Morocco holds off Scotland, Brazil cruises to another win, and Sweden st...

It’s all about Concacaf at the 2026 FIFA World Cup today. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Matt Doyle break down Mexico securing a spot in the knockout round with a win over South Korea and Canada's historic 6-0 victory over Qatar behind a Jonathan David hat trick. Then the crew previews a pivotal Group D showdown as the United States takes on Australia in Seattle with major knockout-round implica...

Matchday 1 is complete, and Michele Giannone and Matt Doyle play a round of Buy or Sell on the biggest teams, players and storylines from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They break down England's statement win behind Harry Kane, Portugal's frustrating draw with DR Congo, Panama's disappointing start and Colombia's victory over Uzbekistan. The duo also checks in on Christian Pulisic and the latest from US...

Day 6 dazzled at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the stars took center stage. Susannah Fuller, David Gass and Matt Doyle break down Kylian Mbappé's record-breaking performance for France, Erling Haaland's standout World Cup debut for Norway and another milestone moment from Lionel Messi as Argentina opened its campaign. Then the crew looks ahead to another huge day of action, including England and Harr...

Cape Verde delivers the shock of the 2026 World Cup by taking points off Spain, while Belgium and Egypt share the spoils and Saudi Arabia frustrates Uruguay and New Zealand and Iran with a wild match to cap off the night. Susannah Fuller, Matt Doyle and David Gass break it all down from a day of draws at the World Cup. Attention turns to France and Argentina as two of the tournament favorites begi...