25 Mar 2026

First Touch '26

Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week

Paddy Moore, who put four in for Ireland against Belgium in 1934!

What To Watch, FIFA & UEFA Playoffs:

Four UEFA World Cup spots are up for grabs, with each side needing to win two consecutive matches:

This week’s biggest story...could Italy miss the World Cup, again?? The four time Winners have missed consecutive World Cups, and stand on the precipice of a third.
They’re the favorites in their bracket, but one last hurrah for Bosnia and Herzegovina and their 40-year-old legend Edin Dzeko would be incredibly fitting.
Group B likely features the most balanced ties, with Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and Albania all in with an argument for being the top side.
The group that will supply the USMNT’s group stage opponent features Turkiye as a clear favorite with some of the world’s most prolific talent. Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo will hope that they can mount a surprise challenge versus the presumed favorites.
A lot of neutral fans will be rooting for the Republic of Ireland in Group D, where they will have to overcome group favorites Denmark as well as Czechia and North Macedonia.

Meanwhile, there are two spots to be decided from amongst six international sides competing in Mexico over the next week.

Iraq has made it! After much consternation, Iraq will participate in a winner-takes-all match in Mexico against the winner of Bolivia and Suriname.
Iraq is the favorite, but Suriname barely missed qualification directly into the World Cup and has a real chance of completing their Cinderella run.
Meanwhile, DR Congo awaits the winner of Jamaica and New Caledonia.
The obvious bet is a Jamaica vs. DR Congo final, where any further bets would be insane and should necessitate the better be immediately stripped of their accounts.

What To Watch, USMNT Friendlies:

The USMNT will face Belgium and Portugal in the last international friendly window before the roster announcements, with more than a few decisions still to be made by head coach Mauricio Pochettino:

A lot of eyes will be on the central midfield, where Tyler Adams will again be absent due to injury. Who is the #6 if Adams is out? Who is his potential starting partner? Watch for Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter, respectively, for each.
The centerback position has been perhaps the U.S.’s biggest question going back to even the 2022 World Cup cycle. With Pochettino (successfully) pivoting to three centerbacks, it’s even bigger. Richards’s name is written in ink, but is Tim Ream’s? And is the third player a centerback like Miles Robinson, or a transitioned fullback like Alex Freeman, Joe Scally, or “Jedi” Robinson?
Is Tim Weah the right wingback with Sergino Dest out? Probably, with Weah featuring weekly in the position for Marseilles. Does it work? We don’t really know yet!
And finally, can we beat the best? The USMNT rounded into form last fall, but arguably haven’t matched up to a side of the pedigree of Portugal. Friendly or not, fans will want to see the side compete well with the very best.
Bonus Note: Portugal will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, which should make them even more dangerous than usual.

Ireland will play next week to make their first World Cup since 2002. That World Cup, where they were knocked out by Spain in penalties in the Round of 16, is perhaps most famous in Ireland for what happened before it.

Ireland star and captain Roy Keane was and is known for being, well, outspoken. That outspokenness turned into a row with head coach Mick McCarthy around the preparedness of the federation and the head coach in advance of the World Cup.

So big was the row that Roy Keane departed the camp and did not participate in the 2002 World Cup. So big was that story in Ireland, that its impact in popular culture remains decades later.

A 2005 musical comedy was staged in Dublin under the title “I, Keano” that reimagined the disagreement as one amongst soldiers in a Roman legion.

More recently, Steve Coogan starred in a film adaptation called Saipan that tells the story of the now famed incident between Keane and McCarthy.

Three Players To Watch This Week:

Endrick, Brazil: No Neymar and no Estevao for Carlo Ancelotti’s side means the young striker has a shot to build on his form on loan with Lyon. Brazil have a loaded window, with friendlies against France and Croatia, and will look to solidify their third attacking option in addition to the world class Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha.

Troy Parrott, Ireland: The hero in qualifiers will be called on to power the Republic of Ireland through the UEFA Playoffs. Parrott, a striker at AZ Alkmaar, became a national hero with a hattrick and last-second-winner in a do-or-die final qualifier in Hungary. With star attacker Evan Ferguson out, the pressure is doubly on Parrott to lead Ireland back to the World Cup.

Kenan Yildiz, Turkey: The Turkish wonderkid has evolved into one of the most dangerous attackers in the world at Juventus, but will face the most immense pressure of his young career in leading his side through the UEFA Playoff Qualifiers. For USMNT fans, who will face the winner of Turkey’s groups, Yildiz may be the type of dangerman you’d prefer stays far away from the 2026 World Cup.

Three USMNT Players To Watch This Week:

Alex Freeman: The 2025 U.S. Young Player of the Year recently transferred to Villarreal from Orlando City, and is battling for regular playing time. Freeman, however, showed up big for the USMNT in 2026, and could win either the starting right wingback or even wide centerback position with a big camp.

Weston McKennie: With Pulisic slowing down in the calendar year, McKennie is the most in-form American on the planet. Based on callups, it looks like Poch is going to advance him up the field as the second attacking midfielder with Pulisic. His comfort in that role will be directly correlated with fans’ comfort in the USMNT’s chances this summer.

Tim Ream: Has time finally caught up with the senior statesman of the USMNT? Ream plays in a back four in Charlotte, and has been exposed at times for speed. Poch will hope the additional centerback still provides the requisite cover for Ream, who is a significant plus for the team with his ball at his feet.

Episode 4 of First Touch Weekly is Out Now!

Introducing Kickback Soccer Media’s First Touch Weekly, our premium 2026 World Cup podcast, covering the biggest stories across global soccer—from players and matches to politics, culture, host cities, the fan experience, and beyond. Hosted by Susannah Fuller and David Gass alongside a rotating cast of journalists and experts, the show delivers smart, inclusive analysis and deep dives into everything shaping the road to and through the FIFA World Cup 2026—and continues beyond the tournament as a weekly destination for what’s next in the global game.

This week’s episode revisits one of the most iconic matches in World Cup history and the curious case around its marquee star, the 1998 final between Brazil and France.
Listen here (Apple) or here (Spotify) or wherever you find your podcasts!

Every World Cup Nation, Previewed!

Over at our website kickbacksoccer.com, we’ve launched a first-of-its-kind team by team preview of every participating World Cup nation!

You can find both written overviews, and special video and podcast primers for every country, all right at your fingertips.

Check it out here and tell your friends!

March 25, 2026 — Newsletter #29