28 Jan 2026

First Touch '26

Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week:

Ok he may not be a World Cup legend (yet), but check out that mane on 2002 Argentina player and 2026 USMNT Head Coach Maurico Pochettino!

Headlines :

We can’t ignore it, and neither should you. Calls for 2026 boycotts will likely continue through the summer. This week, notably, a German federation’s executive committee member, FC St. Pauli president Oke Göttlich, became the first major official to publicly make the boycott recommendation.
It’s not surprising that the President of FC St. Pauli, the most renowned proponents in the world for equality, inclusivity, and social justice in soccer, made this comment. Disgraced former FIFA President Sepp Blatter calling on a fan travel boycott? Ok, we didn’t have that one on our bingo card.
It’s of little surprise, and assuredly will only increase the boycott calls, but FIFA President Infantino did announce that President Trump will co-present the Jules Rimet Trophy to the World Cup winner.
On to one of our more enjoyable World Cup topics, “Oh the Places You’ll Go!”, also known as our World Cup base camp updates!
Let’s start in Kansas City, where England is finalizing plans to take over Sporting KC’s Swope Park as a centrally located base camp.
Elsewhere, we’ve got Norway heading down to Tobacco Road, selecting one of the heartlands of youth soccer in the U.S., and camping out in Greensboro, North Carolina (I’ll save you the google search, it’s between Charlotte and Raleigh).

Tickets:

We’re in a quiet period between the last lottery and the awarding of tickets, with resale costs continuing to skyrocket as no new supply enters the market. That will change soon, however.

All applicants from Phase Three of the FIFA World Cup lottery will be notified some time after February 5th whether they’ve won the lottery, and automatically charged for their tickets if so.

Dark Horse Vibes Team of the Week

With 48 teams participating, there are a lot of choices for a 2026 Dark Horse. This week, we will somewhat randomly select one:

Ecuador. Why?

This Guy:

A Thing We're Excited About:

One more shot from Kevin De Bruyne and Belgium.

From Zidane in 2006 to James Rodriguez in the 2024 Copa America, the world’s best playmakers often are written-off as they age, but thrive with the extra space and time provided them on the ball in an international setting.

De Bruyne, arguably the premier playmaker of the past decade, has been injured and featured little for his club team, Napoli, this season. However, as he turns 35 this summer, one can expect him to do everything it takes to potentially participate in his last World Cup.

If he makes it? The Belgian Golden Generation has turned silver-haired, but De Bruyne can pull the strings as well as anyone in the World, and will have a few younger stars like Jeremy Doku to get on the end of his playmaking.

Here’s more from First Touch’s David Gass on the last gasp of Belgium’s Golden Generation:

All of the conversation about weather at the World Cup relates to concerns about the heat. But as most of America is shut in because of the cold and snow, busting up their book shelves and burning them for warmth, take comfort in knowing that, yes…players have had to battle snow at the World Cup, the first one no less!

In 1930, the first ever World Cup took place in Uruguay. As is now (mostly) tradition, it took place in the middle months of the year. The thing is, that’s winter in the southern hemisphere.

Not only did Uruguay experience a very rare snowfall, it happened during the first ever World Cup match, France vs. Mexico!

Honestly, we hope we get the opportunity to see the orange ball brought out one time at a World Cup.

A Way Too Early USMNT Head Coach Candidate List:

From the moment he was hired, it was well understood that Mauricio Pochettino was assuredly a one-and-done coach who would return to European club football following his stint with the national team.

With MLS club season almost upon us, it’s time to start prognosticating and to release our way-too-early USMNT Head Coach candidates Top 5, from least to most likely:

5. Roberto Martinez (Portugal)

4. Gareth Southgate (Unattached)

3. Steve Cherundolo (Unattached)

2. B.J. Callaghan (Nashville SC)

1. Mikey Varas (San Diego FC)

In December, Kickback Soccer Media released our special First Touch World Cup nation capsules, each a 10-20 minute story on the past and present of each World Cup nation’s soccer identity, on-and-off the pitch. We’ve nearly released one for all 42 nations who have qualified for the World Cup!

You can listen to our podcasts and follow First Touch now by:

Listening on your preferred platform in our “Kickback ‘26” feed found on our Linktree here.
Following us on Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube @firsttouchksm
Find our links at kickbacksoccer.com!

January 28, 2026 — Newsletter #21