First Touch '26 World Cup Podcast

Just four teams remain, David Gass and Michele Giannone preview a blockbuster UEFA showdown as France and Spain battle for a place in the World Cup Final. They also play Buy or Sell, talk about World Cup expansion and coaching changes and rumors in Italy, Germany and Uruguay.

And then there were four. The final quarterfinal matches are in the books. David Gass and Michele Giannone break down all the controversy, tactics and key moments as England edged Norway in extra time and Argentina found a way past Switzerland to set the stage for the World Cup semifinals.

0:00 Intro

3:55 Kickoff Time in Miami

7:04 Norway vs. England Breakdown

10:50 Jude Bellingham’s Legacy

17:56 Controversial Calls & Spidercam Wire

23:49 Subbing Haaland, Norway’s Outlook & Sorloth’s Performance

29:51 England’s Postgame Comments

34:27 Gareth Southgate vs. Thomas Tuchel

39:10 Breel Emobolo VAR Decision

47:25 Argentina’s Underwhelming Performances

52:32 England-Argentina Rivalry & David Beckham

1:02:37 Messi vs. Maradona Discussion

1:05:40 Closing Thoughts

Mikel Merino's winner sent Spain past Belgium and into the World Cup semifinals. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Matt Doyle break down Spain's dramatic quarterfinal victory before previewing the final two quarterfinals: Harry Kane and England's showdown with Erling Haaland and Norway, plus Lionel Messi and Argentina taking on Switzerland with the last two semifinal spots on the line.

0:00 Intro

5:18 Belgium Comes Up Short, Courtois Injury

13:04 Spain, Lineup Decisions & Looking Ahead to France

25:00 How Does Norway Setup Against England?

30:13 Starting Lineup Questions for England

32:35 The World Cup of Erling Haaland

36:30 England vs. Norway Predictions

41:26 Argentina Starting XI Decisions

48:38 Can Switzerland Challenge?

One quarterfinal is in the books and David Gass, Matt Doyle and Michele Giannone are back to break down France's convincing 2-0 win over Morocco as Kylian Mbappé delivered another standout performance to send Les Bleus into the semifinals. Then they preview Spain vs. Belgium before checking in on the latest news in and around the World Cup.

0:00 Intro

2:12 VAR Check on Mbappé Penalty

11:10 Mbappé: Where Does He Rank Among the All-Time Greats?

20:24 France vs. Morocco Breakdown

25:35 All-Time Best Belgium Kits

30:07 Can Spain's Defense Stop Belgium?

40:26 England Injury Update + Quansah Suspension

42:49 Sadio Mané International Retirement & Legacy

Morocco and France kick off the World Cup quarterfinals as David Gass, Matt Doyle and Michele Giannone preview one of the tournament's biggest matchups. Can the Atlas Lions continue their dream run against France's star-studded attack of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise? The crew breaks down the key tactical battles, what each team needs to do to advance and who they're picking to reach the semifinals.

• 0:00 Intro
• 5:48 World Cup News Updates
• 13:50 Mbappe & Olise Take on Morocco
• 27:40 How the U.S. fell apart against Belgium
• 31:01 Ranking France vs. Morocco Kits

We are down to 8 as the quarterfinal matchups are now set for the World Cup. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Matt Doyle break down the final Round of 16 matches, including another dramatic comeback from Messi and Argentina against Egypt and Switzerland's penalty shootout win over Colombia after a scoreless draw. The crew also reveals its Best XI of the tournament so far, looks back at how the host nations performed and give their predictions for the quarterfinal matches.

0:00 Intro

3:49 Reflections on the USMNT

7:18 Christian Pulisic Postgame Quote

23:30 Was This a Successful World Cup for Mexico?

28:13 Which Host Nation as Best Outlook for 2030

32:16 Canada's World Cup Takeaways

39:57 Best XI of the Tournament

52:55 Egypt Impresses, Argentina’s Dramatic Comeback

1:05:32 Switzerland Outlasts Colombia in PKs

1:12:00 Quarterfinal Predictions

The USMNT's World Cup run is over after a tough loss to Belgium. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer break down what went wrong, what comes next for the U.S. plus they look at Spain’s win over Portugal. Then they preview Argentina vs. Egypt and Colombia vs. Switzerland as the final quarterfinal spots are decided.

0:00 Intro

3:02 USMNT Pride & Balogun Controversy Effect

8:20 The Future of Soccer in America

18:43 What Went Wrong for the USMNT Against Belgium?

34:52 The Legacy of Christian Pulisic

41:23 The Role of MLS, Pochettino's Future & the Youth Pipeline

46:51 Spain Defense Shines, Portugal Disappointment

1:02:33 Argentina vs. Egypt - Messi vs. Salah

1:13:05 Colombia Battles Switzerland

The drama continued with a wild night at the Azteca as England escaped past Mexico, while Erling Haaland and Norway stunned Brazil to book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down both Round of 16 thrillers before looking ahead to a massive day featuring the USMNT against Belgium, including the controversial decision surrounding Folarin Balogun. The crew also previews the heavyweight showdown between Spain and Portugal for a place in the quarterfinals.

Morocco and France punched their tickets to the World Cup quarterfinals. David Gass, Eric Krakauer and Matt Doyle break down both Round of 16 matches before looking ahead to Sunday's blockbuster showdowns between Brazil and Norway and Mexico and England. The trio also gives their picks for the Golden Ball, Golden Glove, the Best Young Player and the best defender of the tournament.

0:00 Intro

2:49 World Cup Award Winner Picks

31:04 Morocco Gets Past Canada

53:57 France Survives Paraguay

1:08:16 Brazil Takes On Norway

1:18:55 Mexico Battles England

The Round of 32 came to a dramatic close as the knockout stage delivered more unforgettable moments. David Gass, Eric Krakauer and Michele Giannone break down Cape Verde's incredible performance that nearly knocked out Messi and Argentina, Egypt surviving a tense penalty shootout against Australia and Colombia cruising past Ghana to book its place in the Round of 16. The crew also previews Canada's showdown with Morocco, France's clash with Paraguay, and shares the Round of 16 matchups they're most excited to watch.

0:00 Intro & Mexico-England Kickoff Drama

12:20 Buy or Sell: Concacaf, Colombia, France

36:27 Cape Verde-Argentina Thriller

49:32 Egypt Gets Past Australia in Penalties

55:36 Favorite Games in Round of 16

1:08:00 France Attack Against Paraguay

1:13:23 Canada Battles Morocco