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Fyrst byrjar fjarfundurinn, svo drekkum við kaffi.

Fyrst byrjar fjarfundurinn, svo drekkum við kaffi.
First the video call starts, then we drink coffee.
From Lesson 212:Reported speech (að)·Icelandic

Questions & Answers about Fyrst byrjar fjarfundurinn, svo drekkum við kaffi.

Why are the subjects fjarfundurinn and við placed after their verbs?
This happens because of the V2 (verb-second) rule. Both clauses start with adverbs (Fyrst and svo). To keep the verbs byrjar and drekkum in the second position, the subjects are pushed right after them.
What are the parts that make up the word fjarfundurinn?
It is formed from the prefix fjar- (meaning remote or tele-) and the noun fundur (meaning meeting), plus the definite suffix -inn (the). It is the standard modern word for a video call or remote meeting.
This lesson focuses on reported speech. How would I backshift this entire sentence to say 'He said that first the video call started...'?
You would shift the present tense verbs to the past tense, which often triggers the subjunctive mood in reported að (that) clauses. It becomes: Hann sagði að fyrst byrjaði fjarfundurinn, svo drykkjum við kaffi. The verb byrjar shifts to the past form byrjaði, and drekkum shifts to the past subjunctive drykkjum.
What case is kaffi in here?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb drekka (to drink). Because kaffi is a neuter noun, its accusative form is exactly the same as its dictionary (nominative) form, so the spelling does not change.

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