There is so much to love about South Africa’s national team—Bafana Bafana—from the energy on the pitch to the color and spirit in the stands. In this World Cup Capsule, Kiyan Singh, Kickback Committee's resident South African, takes you inside his home country’s long-awaited return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, and explains why this moment feels bigger than soccer itself.

We trace the sport’s complicated history through colonialism and apartheid—from separate, racially divided football associations and a decades-long FIFA suspension, to the creation of a unified federation and South Africa’s re-entry onto the world stage in the early 1990s. Then we relive the national high of AFCON 1996, with Nelson Mandela lifting the trophy alongside the team, before revisiting the defining moment: South Africa 2010, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic opener against Mexico, and a tournament that helped put African football at the center of the global game.

From there, we break down the road to 2026 under Hugo Broos, whose disciplined approach has restored belief—topping a qualifying group that included Nigeria—and spotlight the players shaping this new era, led by Lyle Foster and a rising pipeline of young talent. He honor national legend Benni McCarthy, explores the uniquely South African joy of Kasi Flava/Diski Magic, and set expectations for a Group A draw featuring hosts Mexico, South Korea, and a European opponent still to be determined.

In the land of cheese, chocolate, and army knives, soccer is king—and Switzerland has deeper roots in the sport than most people realize. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass breaks down the story of The Nati: a founding FIFA member, a crossroads in football’s spread across Europe, and the quiet host nation that’s literally home to FIFA’s headquarters. We trace Switzerland’s early flashes of tournament success, their revival under Roy Hodgson in the 1990s, and the modern era defined by steady qualification and consistent knockout-round appearances—without ever producing a single “signature” World Cup moment. Then we jump to the road to 2026: Murat Yakin’s possession-first approach, a deep squad built on balance rather than superstar power, and a group that could set Switzerland up for yet another trip to the Round of 16—unless this is finally the year they break the ceiling. Along the way, we spotlight young midfielder Johan Manzambi as one to watch, revisit the legacy of Swiss icon Xherdan Shaqiri, and explore how immigration and multicultural identity have shaped the national team for generations.

The land of the Vikings is back on the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998—and Norway arrive as one of the tournament’s must-watch darlings, led by their modern-day “Jarl”: Erling Haaland. In this World Cup Capsule, David Gass breaks down how the Norwegians turned a generation of talent into a true golden age, built around Haaland’s ruthless finishing and robot-like intensity, and Martin Ødegaard’s leadership and creativity from midfield.

We trace the roots of Norwegian football—from the early clubs and the founding of the federation, to the quirks of a domestic game shaped by weather and geography—then revisit Norway’s previous World Cup moments, including the famous 1994 “four teams on four points” group and the iconic 1998 win over Brazil that sent them to the knockouts. From there, we jump into the road to 2026: Ståle Solbakken’s long, patient rebuild finally clicking into place, an 11-game surge through qualifying, and a side that suddenly looks balanced—dangerous going forward, and far stingier at the back than anyone expected.

We spotlight RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa as the young player to know, pay tribute to Norwegian foundation-layers like John Arne Riise, and explore the country’s uniquely Norwegian football culture—from May 16th rivalry matchdays to some of the most photogenic pitches on earth. Drawn into a heavyweight group with Senegal and France, Norway have arrived with pressure, belief, and a superstar built for the biggest moments.