Brazil are facing the prospect of navigating the entire World Cup group stage without Neymar as the medical staff prioritises his long-term fitness. The Selecao talisman is battling to recover from a significant muscle injury, with coaching staff now focusing on a return for the knockout rounds.
John McGinn was the hero in Boston as Scotland finally ended their 36-year wait for a World Cup victory with a gritty 1-0 win over Haiti. The Aston Villa star remains the talisman for Steve Clarke’s side, netting the decisive goal to put the Scots in pole position in Group C - and revealing the pre-match vow that fueled his fearless performance.
Scotland waited 28 years for this. Haiti waited five decades. In a match between two sides desperate to make their World Cup return count, John McGinn provided the moment that mattered, turning a lucky bounce into the lone goal as the Tartan Army escaped Boston Stadium with a 1-0 win, Scotland’s first victory at the tournament since Italia ’90.
There were just seconds to go in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield on October 16, 2022 when Diogo Jota pulled up with a muscular problem that left the Portuguese in agony. Jurgen Klopp feared the worst right away: "If Diogo stays down it is never good." And it wasn't. Jota had sustained a calf injury that would sideline him for months, rather than weeks, thus ruling him out of Portugal's 2022 World Cup campaign.
The World Cup is now just a few hours away, with teams currently making their final preparations for the tournament in North America. The stage is set for a whole host of players to make themselves national heroes, including some of the most exciting youngsters in the game today.
It's so close you can almost touch it. After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup will kick-off on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa in a repeat of the opening game from 2010. Over the next five-and-a-half weeks, records will be broken and legacies rewritten as a number of modern greats do battle to win the most recognisable trophy in all of sport.
The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. Over the course of the next week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.
The widow of late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has sent a deeply moving letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Rute Cardoso urged the left-back to carry the memory and unfulfilled international dreams of his former Anfield team-mate, who tragically passed away following a road accident.
Scotland's World Cup preparations have been hit by an incredible war of words following the late cancellation of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Norway. The decision has left Scandinavian officials fuming, with stinging accusations of unprofessionalism directed at Steve Clarke and the Scottish FA.
FIFA has announced a significant protocol modification that will see every squad member take part in the pre-match national anthems at the upcoming World Cup. Moving away from traditional sporting custom, football's global governing body has mandated that both starting line-ups and substitutes congregate together on the pitch ahead of kick-off.
Scott McTominay is heading into the 2026 World Cup on the back of the most transformative year of his career, fueled by a Scudetto win and a new life in Naples. The Scotland international has been recharging his batteries alongside partner Cam Reading before joining up with his national team-mates for the global showpiece.
Scott McTominay has revealed he is showing no mercy to Napoli team-mate Rasmus Hojlund following Scotland’s dramatic path to the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder, who has become a cult hero in Italy, admitted he and Billy Gilmour have been relentlessly reminding the Danish striker of the spectacular overhead kick that helped seal Scotland's qualification at Denmark's expense.
Scotland's World Cup preparations have been rocked by a "cruel" injury to midfield anchor Billy Gilmour, leaving his team-mates and coaching staff in a state of shock. The Napoli star was forced off during the 4-1 friendly victory over Curacao, with Scott McTominay leading the tributes to a player who has become central to the Tartan Army's ambitions.
Scotland's World Cup preparations have been dealt a massive blow with the news that Billy Gilmour has been ruled out of the tournament. The Napoli midfielder suffered a serious knee injury during the national team's final send-off victory over Curacao on Saturday.
Miami has experienced Lionel Messi mania since the Argentine GOAT made his way to MLS, with the Sunshine State now preparing for a Scottish invasion during the 2026 World Cup. Robert Snodgrass expects that party to be just as special, if not even more raucous, with the Tartan Army hoping to see history made on North American soil this summer.
FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.
Steve Clarke has officially committed his future to Scotland by signing a long-term contract extension that will see him lead the national team through to the 2030 World Cup. The news comes as a massive boost to the Tartan Army just as the squad prepares to embark on their first World Cup adventure in nearly three decades this summer in the United States.
Scott McTominay's legendary status in Scottish football has reached a new level after his iconic overhead kick against Denmark was chosen to feature on a new limited edition £20 banknote. The Bank of Scotland revealed the unique design to celebrate the national team's successful qualification for the World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
Wrexham captain Dominic Hyam has explained how the club ensures that documentary cameras do not become a distraction during a Premier League promotion push, with “celebrities” being asked to “get out the dressing room”. Famous faces pass through the Racecourse Ground on a regular basis, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac at the helm, but Phil Parkinson’s squad have learned how to block out the “noise”.
Scotland
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