24 Sep 2025

First Touch '26

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Remembering a Random World Cup Legend:

Remember and despair, U.S. fans. Torsten Frings, Germany, 2002.

World Cup Tickets Update:

Each week First Touch ‘26 will provide an update on the best way to purchase tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

4.5 million people applied for the first FIFA ticket lottery, and hopefully you were one of them! If you did apply, FIFA confirmed that you will be informed of your success beginning September 29th, with the presale window for winners opening October 1st. Success in the lottery does not guarantee that you can purchase tickets, you will have to do so before supply runs out.

If you miss out on this window, there are two additional opportunities forthcoming; a resale platform will launch October 2nd, and a second lottery period will start October 27th.

Headlines:

The Athletic reports that FIFA received 145 complaints worthy of investigation, including many related to heat and the enforcement of federal agents and local police.

If you get tickets, move quickly to get your hotel room too. A new report shows the scarcity of hotel rooms in places like Vancouver and Philadelphia in comparison to seating at the stadium, presenting major logistical challenges for matches largely drawing out of towners.

Two nations face sudden disruption to their qualifying progress. Rumors abound of an emergency meeting by UEFA to discuss banning Israel from competition, and thereby ending their World Cup qualifying bid. Meanwhile, South Africa may face a point deduction from fielding an ineligible player versus Lesotho, thereby eliminating their lead in CAF Group C.

There’s a World Cup starting this week! The Men’s U20 World Cup kicks off in Chile on Saturday, with the U.S. debuting on September 29th. Want to be a pretentious soccer fan? Tune in and see the stars of tomorrow.

Population size clearly doesn’t correlate with World Cup success. Of the five largest countries by population in the World, only the U.S. has qualified for the men’s World Cup more than once.

Those two nations, China (2002) and Indonesia (1938, competing as Dutch East Indies), scored zero goals and lost every match.

A Thing We're Excited About:

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil!

If you’re like us, you remember soccer in the U.S. being synonymous with Brazil; Pele, the ‘94 World Cup, and the Joga Bonito Nike commercials…this defined the sport here. But after two decades of diminishing success, epitomized by the 7-1 route at the hands of Germany at the 2014 World Cup, Brazil has lost some of its luster.

Now, with a legendary manager at the helm, the gravitas of Vinicius Jr., the quality of Raphinha, and the rising stardom of Estevao, it seems like Brazil may have America falling in love once again.

Level Up:

Each week Kickback approves the leveling up of a player who has taken that crucial leap with their game.

This week, we highlight Club Brugge’s and Belgium's rising star, Joaquin Seys. The reigning Belgian league debutant of the year has started the new season on fire.

An assist from the left back against AS Monaco last week added to his three goals in Champions League qualifying, affirming Seys’s prolific attacking credentials. Epitomizing the modern position, Seys offers a significant engine and quality in the final third.

As Belgium looks to begin replacing its aging “Golden Generation,” it’ll look to young stars like Seys to replenish the ranks.

Allocate your points wisely, Joaquin.

USMNT Player of the Week:

Christian Pulisic has been really, really good. A goal and an assist in a dominant performance against Udinese brought Pulisic up to four goal contributions in four matches for the season. The USMNT star has arguably been as good as any player in Serie A at the start of the season, raising hopes that his club form may be carried forward into the 2026 World Cup.

While there are still questions about Pulisic’s form when donning a U.S. jersey, his current performances for A.C. Milan may rival that of any men’s player at any point in history at the club level.

Qualified Teams (so far):

Here are the countries who have booked their spot at the final tournament, so far!

U.S.A, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia

September 24, 2025 — Newsletter #5