# WCQ Happiness & Heartbreak From Iraq To Italy - EP. 7 First Touch Weekly

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kickback-26-7606085/wcq-happiness-heartbreak-from-iraq-to-italy-ep-7-first-touch-weekly
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/kickback-26-7606085/wcq-happiness-heartbreak-from-iraq-to-italy-ep-7-first-touch-weekly.md
Podcast: [First Touch '26 World Cup Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/kickback-26-7606085)
Published: 2026-04-02T22:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://kickbacksoccer.com/
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ed1d7fb1-83c6-412a-8c4c-8dd5f48d5768.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/kickback-26-7606085/episodes/wcq-happiness-heartbreak-from-iraq-to-italy-ep-7-first-touch-weekly
Duration seconds: 2171

## Resource

We have a World Cup. With the completion of the UEFA and intercontinental playoffs, all 48 nations are now confirmed—the countdown is officially on. Hosts David and Susannah cover all the action, from the jubilation of Iraq, Sweden, DR Congo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina qualifying, to the heartbreak of Kosovo, Ukraine, Denmark, and Italy falling short. We also hear from Michele Giannone on how he really feels about his beloved Italy missing out—again—as well as from our own Valair Shabilla, recorded live from Monterrey, Mexico, where he witnessed his homeland, Iraq, qualify for the first time in 40 years. 2:55 News On Under Fire World Cup Managers 5:10 Recap Of World Cup Playoffs 15:37 Valair Shabilla Takes Us On The Ground To Iraq vs Bolivia 20:30 Esmir Bajraktarevic, Bosnia & Italy's Pain w/Michele Giannone

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## Transcript

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