4 h. ago Steve Borthwick backs Elliot Daly to go beyond 2027 Rugby World Cup

Daly returns to the England starting side to face Argentina as one of six changes

Politics

5 h. ago John Swinney backs Steve Clarke for knighthood after Scotland World Cup qualification

The First Minister said it would “be a lovely idea” for the Scotland manager to be honoured for taking the men’s football team to next year’s World Cup.

Politics

6 h. ago ‘It gives everyone a lift’: Scotland’s World Cup qualification unites a nation

Excitement is palpable as Tartan Army to head to football’s biggest stage for first time in 28 yearsThe prognosis from the north Glasgow primary schools squad had been bleak. “Everybody says Scotland are going to get pumped,” my eight-year told me as he left football training on Tuesday evening, with a realism born of experience even over his short life.But three hours later, Scotland fans across the nation and beyond were catapulted beyond euphoria as their team qualified for the men’s football World Cup for the first time in more than a quarter of a century after a bum-squeaking, breathtaking 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago When was Scotland last in the World Cup? Every tournament Scotland has played after 2026 qualification win

Here is every World Cup Scotland has played at, after the team has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Politics

14 h. ago Steve McClaren quits as Jamaica head coach with path to World Cup still open

Draw with Curaçao ends automatic qualification hopeHe says team need ‘new energy and different perspective’Steve McClaren has resigned as Jamaica’s head coach after a goalless draw with Curaçao ended the team’s hopes of automatic World Cup qualification and left them in March’s intercontinental playoffs.Jamaica needed a win but hit the woodwork three times in the second half as Curaçao became the smallest country by population to win a berth at the World Cup finals. McClaren’s side finished second in Group B of Concacaf qualifying despite being the favourites. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Andy Robertson issues touching Diogo Jota tribute after historic Scotland win

Former Liverpool team-mates shared World Cup dream

Politics

28 h. ago Samoa scrape into 2027 Rugby World Cup as last team to qualify

Samoa have squeaked into the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a tense draw with Belgium

Events

30 h. ago Scotland vs Denmark LIVE: World Cup qualifier match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Automatic qualification awaits tonight’s victor

Politics

38 h. ago Scotland v Denmark Predictions: Our writers predict how the huge World Cup qualifier at Hampden will go

Here’s how The Scotsman football team predict Scotland’s mammoth World Cup qualifying clash with Denmark to go.

Politics

52 h. ago Denmark boss insists his team are more ‘fired up’ than Scotland for crucial World Cup qualifier

Scotland and Denmark are battling for automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup

Events

52 h. ago Tuchel knows perfection is an illusion but England have reasons to dream | David Hytner

The team’s qualifying record is impressive but not as important as their burgeoning confidence and momentum“Right now, I could say that everything played out perfectly,” Thomas Tuchel says, as he reflects on having led England through qualifying to the World Cup finals: phase one of the mission complete. It does not feel incongruous for the head coach to talk about perfection – partly because he is constantly chasing it and also because, well, the results have been perfect.When Tuchel’s team beat Albania 2-0 in Tirana on Sunday, it meant they topped their group with eight wins out of eight and with eight clean sheets. Never before has a European nation gone through World Cup qualification, playing at least six ties, without conceding. Spain will emulate them if they beat Turkey at home and keep a clean sheet in their sixth and final qualifier on Tuesday night. The only thing is that Tuchel knows perfection is unattainable – particularly in international football. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago England player ratings vs Albania as Three Lions head to World Cup with perfect record

Harry Kane bagged a brace in England's 2-0 win over Albania in their final World Cup qualifier, while a number of his team-mates were well below their best

Sport

3 d. ago England win every group game without conceding after Kane’s double sinks Albania

For Thomas Tuchel, there was an unmistakable circularity, a pleasingness to the narrative arc. The England head coach began his tenure with a World Cup qualifying victory against Albania at Wembley last March. And he finished the first phase of the mission to add a second star to the shirt with another one – by the same scoreline in Tirana.It is surely worth taking a moment to digest the headline numbers. This was England’s eighth qualifying win out of eight and an eighth clean sheet. Never before has a European team gone through World Cup qualification – playing at least six ties – without letting in a goal. It is a record to fire hope, which has sent out a message. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Albania vs England LIVE: World Cup qualifier match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Thomas Tuchel continues to fine-tune the Three Lions

Politics

4 d. ago Greece vs Scotland live: Team news before vital qualifier as Scots chase first World Cup in 28 years

Can Scotland keep pace with Denmark in the hunt for automatic World Cup qualification?

Politics

4 d. ago Greece vs Scotland live: Team news ahead of vital World Cup 2026 qualifier as Scot chase Group C top spot

Can Scotland keep pace with Denmark in the hunt for automatic World Cup qualification?

Politics

4 d. ago Greece vs Scotland LIVE team news and build up from the crucial World Cup qualifier

It's another massive night for Steve Clarke's men as they eye a major step towards the World Cup

Politics

5 d. ago Poland v Netherlands, Croatia v Faroe Islands, and more: World Cup 2026 qualifying – as it happened

Slovakia beat Northern Ireland at the last to set up a winner-takes-all Group A encounter with Germany on MondayThomas Tuchel wants his England substitutes to channel any anger they feel at not starting into making the difference when they can because the team that win the World Cup will be defined by productivity off the bench.The head coach will prepare a heat-proof gameplan for the finals next summer when temperatures at many of the venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada are expected to be stifling and a major part will involve how best to use his substitutes. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Thomas Tuchel wants England substitutes to channel anger into World Cup victory

Coach hopes to match spirit of his 2021 Chelsea teamTuchel needs strong bench ‘after a long, long season’Thomas Tuchel wants his England substitutes to channel any anger they feel at not starting into making the difference when they can because the team that win the World Cup will be defined by productivity off the bench.The head coach will prepare a heat-proof gameplan for the finals next summer when temperatures at many of the venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada are expected to be stifling and a major part will involve how best to use his substitutes. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago England XI vs Albania: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for 2026 World Cup qualifier

Thomas Tuchel to make changes for Three Lions’ final game of 2025

Events