2 h. ago World Cup 2026 draw: which teams have qualified and how does it work?

Your essential guide to Friday’s draw in Washington DC, including where to watch it, who to watch out for and a look at Fifa’s peace prizeThe World Cup draw will start at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center at 12pm local time on Friday 5 December (5pm GMT/4am Saturday AEST). Although don’t worry if you tune in late: based on previous draws there will be a few speeches about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some interpretive dance about Fifa being on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, some videos with kids kicking a ball about to show that Fifa is on the verge of bringing about world peace via the medium of football, and then, hopefully, Fifa actually bringing about world peace via the medium of football. And if you miss any of that, don’t worry Fifa will also be awarding a peace prize to the person most likely to bring about world peace in the next few months (more on that zinger later). At some point in al...

Politics

12 h. ago World Cup 2026 draw simulator: Your chance to decide who Scotland could face at next summer's extravaganza

The official draw takes place in Washington on Friday but Record Sport is giving you the chance to have a go before the main event with our group prediction gadget

Politics

16 h. ago World Cup draw 2026: When Scotland will discover fixtures, venues and times for group games plus how to live stream it

THE excitement is building as Scotland get set to find out who we will face at next summer's World Cup. All eyes will be on Washington DC on Friday when the draw for the group stages are made in the Kennedy Center. But Fifa revealed on Monday that won't give us the full picture. Steve...

Sport

3 d. ago Iran to boycott World Cup draw in protest over US visa numbers

The delegation will boycott the draw ceremony in Washington next week over what it described as ‘unsportsmanlike actions’ by US officials

Events

6 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw – everything Scotland fans need to know ahead of date with destiny

Steve Clarke sealed a dream return for the nation to the biggest football tournament on the planet and the excitement will be cranked up a notch

Politics

6 d. ago Scotland 2026 World Cup draw pot confirmed as line up for North America almost complete

It's all eyes on Washington DC next Friday when Steve Clarke will learn who he's up against in North America

Politics

6 d. ago World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, confirmed pots 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

6 d. ago India to face Pakistan at 2026 T20 World Cup amid rising political tensions

The draw for the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup took place on Tuesday, with India and Pakistan scheduled to face each other in the group stages

Politics

1 week ago World Cup 2026 playoffs draw: Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia v Republic of Ireland, Italy v Northern Ireland – live

Live updates as the draw is made in SwitzerlandWho has qualified | European tables | Mail BillyTell us: have you bought tickets for the World Cup?Here is some reading on how Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland made it into the playoffs. Plus a bonus Scotland match report after they sealed the place at the World Cup in dramatic style.“As an ROI supporter, I hope we get a home match against a theoretically weaker side,” writes Martin. “I dream of beating Spain in the final. I fear it’s all going to end in tears, starting about an hour from now.” Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago World Cup 2026 draw: Date, start time, expected pots 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

1 week ago Steve Clarke hopes Scotland’s World Cup qualification will inspire next generation

Manager wants youth to dream of playing for ScotlandClarke uses missed chances as player to inspire teamSteve Clarke hopes Scotland’s long-awaited qualification for a men’s World Cup will inspire the country’s young footballers.Against a backdrop of euphoric scenes at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, the Scots defeated Denmark 4-2 to seal a World Cup spot for the first time since 1998. Their manager was delighted to end that long wait, especially as he believes it has harmed the nation’s football development. “This should stimulate or motivate young players to go out and become Scotland internationals in the future,” said Clarke. “Hopefully there is a legacy from this group of players to the younger generations and we don’t wait so long to go to the next tournament and the next tournament. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week 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

1 week ago ‘An impossibility made possible’: how tiny Curaçao made World Cup history

Caribbean island team are the smallest to reach tournament after appointing wily coach and drawing on diasporaThe delay in Dick Advocaat becoming Curaçao’s head coach might have been ominous but instead was the foundation for glory. Frustrated by the national federation’s financial problems, he deferred starting until January 2024, when the issues were resolved and players paid, paving the way for a historic World Cup qualifying campaign.Curaçao will be the smallest nation – by land area and population – to play at the 2026 World Cup after their 0-0 draw in Jamaica on Wednesday. The Caribbean island has a population of 156,000, sinking the previous record holders Iceland, which has about 400,000 inhabitants. Last month Cape Verde were confirmed as surprise tournament debutants but the African nation is almost 10 times bigger by area than the former Dutch colony, indicating the level of achievement by Advocaat and his squad. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week 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

1 week ago Scotland at the 2026 World Cup: When is the draw, possible opponents, tournament dates, host cities

Scotland qualify for first World Cup since 1998

Politics

1 week 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...

Politics

1 week 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

1 week ago Revealed: Who England, Scotland and the rest can play at the World Cup as pots for the draw are revealed

Scotland will take their place in Pot 3 for the 2026 World Cup draw after a wild 4-2 victory over Denmark secured their return to the finals for the first time since 1998.

Politics

1 week ago When is 2026 World Cup draw? Date, start time, how to watch and who has qualified

We now know 42 of the 48 teams who will be competing in in United States, Canada and Mexico next summer

Politics

1 week ago Revealed: Who England, Scotland and Ireland can play at the World Cup as pots for the draw are revealed

Scotland will take their place in Pot 3 for the 2026 World Cup draw after a wild 4-2 victory over Denmark secured their return to the finals for the first time since 1998.

Politics