First Touch '26
June 24, 2026 — Newsletter #42
Our daily World Cup show, First Touch ‘26, is live daily on both First Touch and Soccerwise YT! You can get your 24/7 World Cup coverage from our First Touch IG and Bluesky accounts, and USMNT/El Tri/Canada from Soccerwise.
The Wednesday newsletter will remain broadly World Cup focused, while Friday’s will focus on USMNT momentarily until returning to incorporating MLS/NWSL coverage as those leagues restart.
Remembering a Random World Cup Legend Every Week
Tony Sanneh, America’s Alex Freeman before Alex Freeman!
Headlines:
The USMNT won their group for the first time in the modern era after defeating Australia 2-0, which you already knew.
Today, you’re watching Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar, because if either team wins, they’ll face the U.S in the Round of 32.
Yes, the prices for that Round of 32 match have spiked. It’ll cost you over $4K to get in the building for the U.S.’s knockout round match.
Elsewhere, Argentina and Lionel Messi’s superb start have been a focus. You’ve seen his five goals, you know he’s the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer. Want to see him in person? Take out another mortgage for a $3K+ to get into Argentina’s Round of 32 match in Miami.
Those five goals top the Golden Boot race, which is quickly looking like the best in World Cup history. Here are your standings:
- Lionel Messi - 5
- Erling Haaland - 4
- Kylian Mbappe - 4
- Deniz Undav - 3
- Jonathan David - 3
- A Ton Of Guys - 2
Mexico has also clinched their group, and look likely to face a UK doubleheader with Scotland followed by England taking them on in Mexico City.
What else are we watching for? That July 4th match in Philly looks destined to be one of the matches of the tournament, with Germany and France on a collision course.
Finally, we’re keeping an eye on the TV ratings, which indicate that this indeed will be a record-shattering tournament. The US vs. Australia match was the fourth most watched men’s soccer match (English, U.S. history), while the match against Paraguay is first.
Early reports have English-language ratings over 100% up against 2022, and Spanish-language over 200% up (though those may be revised down).
Already feeling nostalgia for the tournament, before it’s even finished? Reports have CONMEBOL in advanced negotiations to return Copa America again to the U.S. in 2028.
Let's Do Some Trivia!
Some fun firsts from the World Cup (so far):
- First win:
- Egypt
- Canada
- First points:
- Cape Verde
- Curacao
- DR Congo
- Qatar
- First goal (amongst others):
- Lamine Yamal
- Erling Haaland
- Mo Salah
A Thing We're Excited About:
Do you feel it? That feeling you maybe dreamt of back in 2018, that this World Cup, at this time, would be the thing? The thing that finally cemented soccer’s place in the American zeitgeist?
The stars have come out like never before, and the host nations have delivered. Fans are showing up in droves no matter the price, and every business across the country seems to be hosting watch parties.
This is the thing happening this summer in the U.S., with the World Cup front of mind for seemingly everyone. We’re less than two weeks in, and it’s seemingly all (non-politics version) anyone is talking about.
It’s anecdotal, but you’ve assuredly heard about kids kicking a ball for the first time, or entire planes tuned in to soccer matches between nations most travelers couldn’t place on a map.
If you read this newsletter, you’re not likely a casual fan…this is likely a passion. That means you have an opportunity, too, to be one of the evangelists that ensures that the fandom that was born this summer is cultivated, and the nation’s connection to the sport reflects so much of the joy and camaraderie that we’re organically seeing pop up across the country.
Our World Cup Player Vibes Ranking (So Far):
5. Julian Quinones (Mexico)
4. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
3. Keito Nakamura (Japan)
2. Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
1. Vozinha (Cape Verde)
First Touch's World Cup 2026
First Touch has announced its 2026 slate of soccer coverage, featuring a daily studio show every morning, live from New York!
Hosted by Susannah Fuller, Matt Doyle, and David Gass alongside a rotating cast of journalists and experts, the show delivers the sharpest coverage of matches and previews of the upcoming day.
- Watch here.
- 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!