First Touch '26
December 17, 2025 — Newsletter #17
Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week:
One of the best to do it, and the stars of one of the best teams of all time. Ferenc Puskas, Hungary
Headlines :
- The pressure on FIFA and the extraordinary World Cup ticket prices has led to the announcement of a $60 ticket tier for fans of participating countries. Don’t get too excited though, initial reports have this ticketing tier relevant for less than 1,000 seats per match.
- Cameroon’s Head Coach is refusing his dismissal, and now has submitted his own and competing Cameroonian roster for the upcoming AFCON. Manager Marc Brys was fired by Cameroonian legend and FA president Samuel Eto’o following their elimination from the World Cup.
- Things aren’t much simpler in the U.S., where the DOJ moved to drop charges stemming from the legendary 2015 FIFA corruption case. This, of course, is right on the heels of President Trump being awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
- Nigeria is soliciting a probe into the eligibility of DR Congo’s players in the African playoff final, but their claims may be dubious. Local reports have Nigerian officials claiming Congo’s citizenship laws don’t allow for the dual citizenship maintained by some of their players, but such claims seem more a Hail Mary than a substantive allegation.
Tickets:
While more information is to come about accessing the new $60 ticketing tier, we have entered a new phase of the World Cup ticket lottery:
- Application Window: December 11th through January 26th.
- Results: After February 5th.
- Process:
- You will select which matches, and how many tickets.
- If you select a ticket, and you win the lottery, you will be auto-charged for that ticket.
- Auto-charges start February 9th.
This is one of the best ways to get your hands on specific tickets, but the prices are exorbitant, so make sure you’re ready for the auto-charge before you move forward!
A Thing We're Excited About:
Ecuador vs. Germany in New York. Up to 40% of all Ecuadorians in the U.S. live in metro New York, with a concentration in the “Worlds’ Burrough” of Queens.
With Ecuador featuring a generational talent in Moises Caicedo, and coming off a second place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying, their fans are going to be amped. Playing Germany in the final match of the group stage, MetLife Stadium may feel less like it's in New Jersey, and more like Quito.
Newsletter Halftime: Let's Do Some Trivia!
We talk a lot about the up-and-coming talent at World Cups, but what about the elder statesmen?
It wasn’t long ago that we saw not only the oldest player ever at a World Cup, but that same player set the record in their debut. Egypt’s Essam El Hadary was named to their 2018 squad at age 45, and played his first (and only) World Cup match against Saudi Arabia.
El Hadary, an Al Ahly and Egypt legend, was able to save a penalty despite Egypt’s defeat.
USMNT Vibes Update:
As we get closer to the World Cup, we’re going to check in on the vibes with the U.S. Men’s National Team periodically…
…and man, things have changed drastically since September. Our current USMNT VIbe Reading: We’re Vibing. Why?
- Christian Pulisic arguably has had the best half-season at the club level in USMNT history.
- Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun are setting their own USMNT records for banging in goals.
- Gio Reyna has started three matches in a row?!?
- Weston McKennie is going 90 minutes every match and scoring big goals in Juventus.
- Chris Richards is arguably having the best club season for a centerback in USMNT history.
- All-in-all, 2025-26 is on pace to be the best season for USMNT players at their club in history.
You may think that there’s a higher Vibe Ranking than “We’re Vibing,” and wonder why vibes aren’t even higher. Well, there is an issue or two:
- Tyler Adams seemingly suffered an MCL injury this week for Bournemouth, reminding USMNT fans of his checkered injury past, and how devastating his absence would be.
- This one’s a long shot, but rumors of Tottenham’s manager Thomas Frank being fired has Spurs’ fans discussing bringing back club legend, and USMNT manager, Mauricio Pochettino. It’s doubtful, but if you’re a USMNT fan you’re harboring a kernel of fear.
In short, U.S. fans, you should feel good going into the Christmas break, and perhaps even allow yourself some of that hope and optimism you’ve kept bottled up and on ice for the past few years.
Last week, Kickback Soccer Media released the following First Touch pods, each a 10-20 minute story on the past and present of each World Cup nation’s soccer identity, on-and-off the pitch:
You can follow First Touch now by:
- Following us on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube @firsttouchksm
- Find our links at kickbacksoccer.com!
Enjoy our synopsis of Belgium, who are on sunsetting a Golden Generation: