3 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

4 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

8 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

10 h. ago How many teams have qualified for a World Cup with a perfect record? | The Knowledge

Plus: chants celebrating old memories, Trevor Wood from Jersey and ‘a Genghis Khan-like thick moustache’Mail us with your questions and answers“England qualified for the World Cup in perfect style, winning all eight games without conceding a goal,” writes Charlie Wilson. “How many teams have done this?”This isn’t the first time England have qualified for a World Cup without conceding a goal. They did the same ahead of Italia 90 – but three of their six group games were 0-0 draws and they might not have qualified had Poland’s Rysard Tarasiewicz scored in the last minute of their final game in Chorzow. Instead his heatseeker hit the crossbar and England were through.Switzerland (A) 5-0Wales (H) 12-0Wales (A) 12-0Croatia (A) 7-0Croatia (H) 8-0Switzerland (H) 11-0 Continue reading...

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11 h. ago The final 24 Rugby World Cup teams and expected seedings amid big change

All 24 teams for the 2027 World Cup have now been confirmed, ahead of the expanded tournament in two years' time

Sport

11 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

13 h. ago Wales v Japan red card rescinded as Rugby World Cup teams decided amid heartbreak

The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond ahead of the autumn international matches this weekend

Politics

22 h. ago Tearful Andy Robertson reveals Diogo Jota inspiration after Scotland qualify for World Cup 2026

The Scotland captain revealed how a special moment shared with his former Liverpool teammate inspired his push to reach the 2026 World Cup following a dramatic win over Denmark

Politics

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

Former Liverpool team-mates shared World Cup dream

Politics

25 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

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

Automatic qualification awaits tonight’s victor

Politics

36 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

49 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

49 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

53 h. ago Davis Cup draw, schedule, confirmed teams and how to watch Final 8

Italy are the two-time defending champions but will be without Jannik Sinner in Bologna

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

3 d. ago McIlroy emotional after overtaking Ballesteros with seventh Race to Dubai title

Fitzpatrick wins DP World Tour Championship in playoffMcIlroy now one behind record for season-long crownsAn emotional Rory McIlroy hailed surpassing Seve Ballesteros by winning a seventh Race to Dubai title as more than he ever dreamed of. McIlroy was beaten in a playoff by Matt Fitzpatrick in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, having staged a dramatic late fightback with an eagle at the final hole.While his Ryder Cup teammate celebrated a third win in the event, the Northern Irishman clinched the season-long crown to eclipse the late Ballesteros’ tally of six and move one behind record-holder, Colin Montgomerie. McIlroy told Sky Sports: “It’s amazing, I had a conversation with Carmen [Ballesteros’s ex-wife] before I went out to play today and she told me how proud he would have been. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, format and who has qualified?

The tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico will be the first with 48 teams taking part in a 12-group format

Politics