Shows / First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch is the American home for the global game, exploring not just what happened, but why it matters. From iconic clubs and legendary rivalries to the cultures, communities, and surprising stories that shape the game, we bring the world's game into sharper focus. We're glad you're here.
Episodes
First Touch | World SoccerNottingham Forest: Best Days or Worst? | First Touch Weekly
How did Brian Clough turn Nottingham Forest, 13th in the second division when he arrived in January 1975, into two-time European Champions in five years?…
First Touch | World SoccerHarry Kane Wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or | First Touch Dispatch
Harry Kane ends England’s 25-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner, and Alexia Putellas takes her third. Plus, José Mourinho’s return to Camp Nou for the first El…
First Touch | World SoccerWhy Jen Beattie Speaks Up About Breast Cancer | Open Mic
Jen Beattie was diagnosed with breast cancer on a Thursday and scored for Arsenal that weekend. She and host Susannah Fuller, both survivors, talk about how…
First Touch | World SoccerMan City to Wagatha: Biggest Scandals | First Touch Weekly
Musa Okwonga of the Stadio podcast joins Susannah Fuller to dig into football’s most notorious scandals and the people behind them. The discussion examines…
First Touch | World SoccerRonaldo Fined, Man City Penalties | First Touch Dispatch
Cristiano Ronaldo is fined after his Portugal walkout, while Manchester City faces reports of potential points deductions. Plus, Ligue 1’s five-way title race…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | José Mourinho: The Special One’s Return to Madrid
José Mourinho is back at Real Madrid, but his career has become as much about dramatic departures as trophy-winning success. We trace his rise through…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Distpatch | Copa America 2028, Everton for Sale & Real Betis’ La Liga Rise
Could the United States host an expanded Copa America in 2028? From major developments in European football to South Melbourne’s historic Australia Cup…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Can Rafa Márquez Succeed With Mexico?
Rafa Márquez is a Mexican football legend, but what makes him suited for the sidelines? Dax McCarty, who played alongside Márquez in MLS, joins host Susannah…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Messi’s Farewell, Klopp’s Germany & USMNT’s Youngest Scorers
On this episode of First Touch Dispatch, the international futures of three legends, the beginning of a new era in Germany under Jurgen Klopp and a new…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Italy’s Football Hall of Fame
Susannah Fuller is joined by CBS Sports Serie A analyst and Italian Football TV founder Marco Messina to build an Italy Football Hall of Fame. They look back…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Man City Guilty, Ronaldo Benched
Manchester City’s guilty verdict, Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprising night on the bench, and Neymar’s flirtation with Flamengo headline this week’s Dispatch. Plus…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Building the Liverpool Hall of Fame with Peter McDowall
Susannah Fuller is joined by LFCTV lead presenter, commentator and LFC stadium announcer Peter McDowall to build their own Liverpool of Hall of Fame, exploring…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Madrid Derby Chaos, Harry Kane Makes History & Marseille’s Crisis
Romania introduces a black card for abusive behavior at youth matches, Harry Kane breaks a Bundesliga scoring record, and Marseille faces mounting financial…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Deportivo A Coruña’s La Liga Resurgence
Deportivo A Coruña is back in Spain’s top flight and off to a flying start. Susannah Fuller looks at the club’s remarkable journey from the heights of Super…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | James Rodriguez Retires, VAR Controversy & the Ballon d’Or
James Rodriguez brings his Colombia career to a close, four Americans are making their mark at Middlesbrough, and Paris FC and Como are emerging among Europe’s…
First Touch | World SoccerOpen Mic | Mary Harvey on Building the Women’s Game
Mary Harvey has seen the women’s game from almost every angle in her career, as a USWNT goalkeeper to FIFA leader and WPS executive. Today, she leads the…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Nico Cantor Takes Us Inside South American Football
Susannah Fuller welcomes Nico Cantor to explore the culture, history and competitive spirit of South American football. from the continent’s biggest clubs and…
First Touch | World SoccerOpen Mic | Kieran Gibbs on Developing the Next Generation of Soccer Players
Susannah Fuller chats with former Arsenal and England defender Kieran Gibbs to talk about his path from pro player to co-founding ONE FC, a youth soccer…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | London City Lionesses Are Going For It
The Women’s Super League (WSL) returns, and Susannah Fuller is joined by football journalist and the founder of The Cutback Flo Lloyd-Hughes to look at what…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Messi Retires, Bayern Begin Again & Champions League Draw
Messi calls time on his Argentina career, Bayern Munich begin another title defense, and London City Lionesses enter the WSL with a squad built to challenge…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | Europe Is Back!
The European soccer season is underway, and there are already plenty of questions to answer. Can Liverpool thrive under Andoni Iraola? What makes Como one of…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Ronaldinho Returns, Alvarez Wants Out & The Mourinho-Vini Jr. Story
Ronaldinho returns to the pitch as Europe’s new season gets underway, Julian Alvarez’s future at Atletico Madrid grows increasingly complicated, and we take a…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Weekly | The Rise and Fall of Gianni Infantino
Gianni Infantino rose to power promising a new era for FIFA. Ten years later, his presidency is facing its biggest crisis yet. On the season two premiere of…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Arsenal Dominate Man City, Salah Heads to Turkey & FIFA Fallout
Arsenal make a statement against Manchester City in the Community Shield, Mohamed Salah makes the move from the Premier League to the Turkish Super League, and…
First Touch | World SoccerFirst Touch Dispatch | Malawi Makes History, Real Madrid & Barcelona’s Financial Muscle, Infantino Under Fire
On this episode of First Touch Dispatch, we dive into the latest from the soccer world, including Malawi’s historic qualification for the Women’s World Cup, a…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch: CONMEBOL’s Road to the 2030 World Cup
Can South America keep pace with the rest of the world? David Gass and Matt Doyle examine Brazil's decline, Argentina's continued success, the region's rising…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch: Asia’s Road to the 2030 World Cup
What went wrong for Asia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and who can lead the region forward? From Australia's rise to the challenges facing Japan, South Korea and…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch: UEFA’s Road to the 2030 World Cup
Spain and France have set the standard in Europe, but who can challenge them next? David Gass and Matt Doyle break down Europe's top contenders, the shifting…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch: CONCACAF's Road to the 2030 World Cup
After hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where does CONCACAF go from here? David Gass and Matt Doyle break down the region's biggest contenders, emerging stars…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch 2030 World Cup Preview From Africa
The road to the 2030 World Cup starts in Africa. David Gass and Matt Doyle take stock of African soccer after the 2026 World Cup, discuss the continent's next…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Spain Beat Argentina to Win the World Cup | Postgame Reaction
Susannah Fuller, David Gass and Matt Doyle react to the World Cup Final, analyzing Spain's championship performance, Argentina's run, Lionel Messi's legacy and…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: World Cup Awards Show
Susannah Fuller, Matt Doyle and David Gass celebrate the best of the 2026 World Cup by handing out their tournament awards before wrapping up the show with a…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Musa Okwonga Joins to Preview the World Cup Final
Susannah Fuller, Matt Doyle and David Gass continue getting you ready for Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina and are joined by Musa Okwonga…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: World Cup Final Weekend: Spain, Argentina, Golden Boot & More
Susannah Fuller, David Gass and Matt Doyle get you ready for World Cup Final weekend. After sleeping on the England-Argentina semifinal, they revisit one of…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Argentina Does It Again: Messi Magic, England Reaction & Final Preview
The gang is back as Susannah Fuller, David Gass and Matt Doyle break down Argentina’s dramatic, come-from-behind win against England. They discuss the tactics…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Spain Heads to the Final, France Takeaways & England vs. Argentina
Susannah Fuller is back with David Gass and Matt Doyle to react to Spain's semifinal win over France, discuss what went wrong for Les Bleus, and break down the…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Spain and France Showdown, World Cup Expansion & New Coaches
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Semifinals Set! England, Bellingham & Messi Leads Argentina Through
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Spain's Late Heroics Knock Out Belgium, Haaland, Kane & Messi Take the Stage
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Mbappé Sends France Through, Spain vs. Belgium Preview
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
Let The Quarterfinals Begin, Morocco vs. France Showdown | World Cup Daily Show
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Messi Again! Argentina Advance, Switzerland Survive & Quarterfinals Set
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: USMNT Eliminated, Messi vs. Salah Headlines Final Round of 16
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Haaland Stuns Brazil, England Prevails & Balogun, USMNT Face Belgium
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Morocco, France Advance as Brazil, Mexico & England Take Center Stage
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Cape Verde Pushes Messi's Argentina to the Brink, Colombia & Egypt Advance
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…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Ronaldo, Portugal Prevail, Spain Coasts & Colombia, Argentina On Tap
David Gass, Eric Krakauer, and Matt Doyle break down Portugal's dramatic victory over Croatia, Spain's dominant win over Austria and Switzerland winning a…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: USA Moves On, Kane Delivers for England & Belgium Outlasts Senega
The USMNT is headed to the Round of 16! David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the USA’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Harry Kane…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Mbappé Leads France, Mexico Advances & USA's Knockout Test
Another big day at the World Cup is in the books. David Gass and Matt Doyle break down France, Norway and Mexico advancing to the Round of 16 before previewing…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Germany Crashes Out, Brazil Survives & Morocco Marches On
The World Cup delivered its wildest day yet as Brazil survived, Germany crashed out on penalties and Morocco eliminated the Netherlands. David Gass, Matt Doyle…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Canada Makes History, Brazil Begins Knockout Run & Round of 32 Bracket
David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer break down the complete Round of 32 bracket and make their picks for the rest of the FIFA World Cup. They also react…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Canada Begins Knockouts, Colombia Tops Portugal & Round of 32 Is Here
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is here! Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the final day of the group stage, including Colombia's statement…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Cape Verde Makes History & Portugal vs. Colombia Preview
The race for the Round of 32 is nearly complete. David Gass, Matt Doyle and Eric Krakauer discuss Cape Verde making history by reaching the knockout stage in…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: USMNT Wraps Group Play, Ecuador Advances & Round of 32 Takes Shape
The World Cup group stage is nearing its conclusion as the Round of 32 begins to take shape. David Gass, Michele Giannone and Eric Krakauer break down the…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Vini Jr. Leads Brazil, Canada Makes History & USA Closes Group Play | World Cup Daily Show
Vini Jr. leads Brazil to the top of Group C, Canada reaches the knockout rounds despite defeat, and South Africa celebrates a historic World Cup moment. Jordan…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Ronaldo Delivers, England Stumbles & Canada, Brazil, Morocco Chase Knockout Spots
Cristiano Ronaldo makes more history, England falls flat and Croatia keeps its World Cup hopes alive. David Gass, Jordan Angeli and Michele Giannone break down…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: Messi Makes History, Mbappé Leads France and Ronaldo, Portugal Under Pressure
Lionel Messi made history for Argentina, Algeria kept its World Cup hopes alive and France booked its place in the knockout rounds on Day 12 of the tournament…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch ’26 World Cup Daily Show: Spain Dazzles, Belgium Disappoints & Cape Verde Does It Again
Spain finally found their scoring touch against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde continued their stunning World Cup run, and Belgium stumbled again as the drama ramped…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch ’26 World Cup Daily Show: Netherlands Statement Win, Germany Advances & Spain Under Pressure
David Gass and Michele Giannone are back talking about all the action from Day 10, including a rout by the Netherlands against Sweden, Germany punching its…
- First Touch | World Soccer
First Touch '26 World Cup Daily Show: USMNT Advance, Brazil Injury Concern & Paraguay's 10-Man Win
The United States is through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup! David Gass and Michele Giannone are back to discuss Alex Freeman’s breakout…