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Scotland's first World Cup game since 1998 - which you can follow here - is under way. You can rate both sets of players out of 10 below and come back 30 minutes after full-time to see the final ratings. Everything you need to know about the World Cup

World Cup News

Ever wanted to see a World Cup match from every angle? How about a full-pitch tactical view? Or even see the match through the eyes of a player? Well, now you can with the brand-new Fifa World Cup 3D Experience. This is a UK-first that is only available on BBC Sport. The interactive game experience gives viewers more choice to explore the match both in real-time, highlights and full-match replays. Head to bbc.co.uk/3dWorldCup to get started. The Fifa World Cup 3D Experience is available for games that are on BBC TV. For a full list of those matches, visit the match hub. Throughout the tournament, we'll also make it easy to find the experience on our website and app, in live match pages and our sport, football and World Cup indexes. You'll have full control to see all the angles as the perfect second-screen option that offers deeper insight. These include: Broadcast view where you control the camera angle. Tactical view with a bird's-eye view of the full pitch. Third-person view to follow your favourite player on the pitch. First-person view to see the match through a player's eyes. That's all in real-time as the match happens but you can also rewind key moments, switch cameras and see stats. After the match you'll have a highlights mode to see all the goals, shots and penalties as well as a full-match replay. This Beta 3D experience is all powered by live official Fifa data and technology from XR company Immersiv.io., external The skeletal data is used to recreate the match as it happens - similar to how semi-automated offside technology works. The Fifa World Cup 3D Experience is only available to users in the UK. What information do we collect from this quiz?Related topicsFootballFIFA World Cup 2026More on this storyPlay BBC Sport's new World Cup predictor game Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJonathan GeddesBBC ScotlandSeconds after Kenny McLean's shot from the halfway line hit the back of the Danish net last November, Andy Munro's children asked him a question. "Why are so many people crying?" The Ayrshire dad-of-three may have had a few tears to wipe away himself, and he wasn't the only one. Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark booked the first World Cup appearance in 28 years for the men's national team and unleased waves of emotion across the country. Eight months later, and as Scotland prepare to face Haiti in the early hours of Sunday, feverish anticipation appears to be taking hold. From parties of thousands watching in large arenas to school kids setting alarms for the 02:00 BST kick-off, excitement, nerves and dreams linger on every street. Lucy McEwan is a 25-year-old teacher in Glasgow, who plays at amateur level with Linlithgow Rose. "People don't really get behind the World Cup unless your country's involved in it, and for the first time in a lot of people's lives we are involved in it," she says. "I think everybody's super, super excited. You can see the kids are so hyped up as well about it. "Our department actually got the FIFA Panini sticker book this year, and all the kids are coming in, trading their stickers with us. "Everyone just seems so excited about it." Lucy says she will be staying up for every game Scotland play, meaning her classes might have a bleary-eyed teacher on Thursday 25 June - the day after Scotland play Brazil in their final Group C match, with a 23:00 kick off. Many pupils might have the same issues too. Andy Munro lives in Dunlop, Ayrshire, and has three children - Harry, 14, Keir, 12 and Adam, 10. All three boys are football fans who worship John McGinn, and none have seen the men's team take part in a World Cup. "The timing of the Haiti game is causing some challenges, " he laughs. "I think we will go to bed about eight, and then wake up around half one to watch the game - and then the boys are all playing football on Sunday morning too. So we will see how it goes. "It's all they're talking about." In Peterhead, pupils at Clerkhill School have made their own World Cup song, written by teacher Diane Pert - who says she put aside her jealousy at having to work while her husband flies to America for the games. They aren't the only ones feeling musical - dozens of singers and bands have released songs to try and capture the national mood. Signs of excitement are everywhere, and not just in the obvious pubs and supermarkets. Chip shops and hairdressers in Glasgow's Anniesland have Saltires draped across windows, banks in Dumfries have inflatable footballs stuck on walls next to cash machines. Bear Scotland, who look after the country's roads, named one of their gritters "Snow Scotland Snow Party", complete with someone dressed up as a kilt-wearing polar bear. Local authorities have got in on the act too, with East Renfrewshire Council re-naming themselves East Robbo-shire Council in honour of Scotland's captain Andy Robertson - who comes from the area. In Dumfries, one of the most colourful shows of support for Scotland is outside Kings coffee shop, with flags fluttering above its outdoor tables. Owner Mark Smith said: "Even as we were installing them, people passing by started cheering, getting excited, even singing football songs. "There's definitely a buzz in town. We're hearing people talking about our chances, and reminiscing over past World Cup attempts." While 28 years have passed since the men's team reached France 98, in recent years Steve Clarke's squad have made it to two European Championships and the women's side qualified for the 2019 World Cup. However, interest in 2026 appears to be on another level. JD Sports says it has sold around twice as many Scotland kits as it did for the 2024 European Championships. The strip is currently the retailer's biggest seller in both the UK and the US. Pop-up Scotland shops offering official merchandise can be found in the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling. An employee in Glasgow told the BBC that retro kits were among the biggest sellers, along with a T-shirt saying "We'll Be Coming 26" - popular among Tartan Army members travelling to America. Those not going on a transatlantic trip are instead booking tickets for pubs and other venues, which are expected to be rammed to capacity. Places more used to holding gigs, like SWG3 in Glasgow and the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, are screening watch parties of matches. The country's biggest venue, the OVO Hydro, is expecting thousands of supporters and says it will have the biggest screen in the country. "We have waited almost 30 years for Scotland to return to the biggest stage in world football, and we wanted to put the team on our stage for fans who haven't been able to make the trip across the Atlantic," says chief commercial officer Debbie McWilliams. For pubs the World Cup offers a potential bonanza, after late licencing hours were allowed by nearly all local authorities. Liam Logue runs Greens Sports Bar in Dumfries with his wife Cas and is expecting the pub to be packed with Scotland fans. "We've sold 240 tickets - we originally sold 200," he said. "Ever since we sold out we've had every man and his dog messaging us, so we probably could have sold another 100." The current feeling is not totally new for some supporters, but rather something which has been missing for years. With the exception of USA 94, Scotland reached every World Cup from 1974 to 1998. For fans who grew up in that era there was an expectation that they would be there, even if the tournaments themselves inevitably proved agonising. "I was 18 during France 98, and I decided not to go," recalls Graeme McNay, who lives in Glasgow. "I remember thinking to myself that I would definitely go four years later, or the one after that if we did not qualify. "You took it for granted Scotland would be at the World Cup. I didn't expect it to be another 28 years! "There was a point when you started to wonder if you'd ever see us there again." Tens of thousands of Scotland fans heading to the US, and the atmosphere has been building in Boston as the Tartan Army sets up camp. Graeme has travelled to America with friends for the Haiti and Morocco games. As someone who can recall the infamous likes of a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in 1990, his excitement is mixed with nerves. "I'm a bit of a pessimist so I'm worried we'll trip up against Haiti," he says. "It's always the ones you expect to win that end up a banana skin, like Costa Rica or Morocco in 1998. "But Steve Clarke will keep us grounded and hopefully we finally get out the group." Optimism is running high elsewhere, though. A worker at the pop-up store in Glasgow recalls a conversation with the parents of one very young child who was "used to Scotland winning all the time now" - a far cry from some of the dark days fans have endured over the last 28 years. And anyone seeking positive vibes need only look a few yards from the national stadium, where adults cried last November as the final whistle went. A mural of Scott McTominany's spectacular overhead kick which opened the scoring against Denmark is painted on a nearby wall. Lindsay Hamilton has run walking tours around the area for several years, taking in the three different places where Hampden Park has been located. In recent weeks though, she has noticed a change. "There's been such a buzz around the World Cup, with folk giving their predictions and sharing their own personal stories from all the previous near misses." Other murals of McTominany and McGinn have popped up elsewhere in the country too. For Lindsay, the mural brings back emotions - and like the rest of the country, she is hoping for more to be made this summer. "It brings a smile every time you see it."

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCatherine LystBBC ScotlandScottish football legend Lou Macari and radio presenter George Bowie are among those to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. Macari has been made an MBE for services to association football and to homeless people, while Clyde 1 DJ Bowie has received the same honour for services to radio and charity. Bowie, from Greenock, is known for popularising the Eurodance track Bits and Pieces, which became beloved by Scotland football fans as a Hampden goal-scoring song. Macari, who played for Scotland at the 1978 World Cup, began his career at Celtic before making more than 400 appearances for Manchester United. The midfielder was just 17-years-old when he joined Celtic after being spotted while playing for his school team. He quickly became part of the late 1960s reserve side, known as the Quality Street Gang, that also included Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain. The now 77-year-old won 24 Scotland caps and later managed clubs including Celtic and Stoke City for almost 20 years. In 2016 he set up a homeless charity, The Macari Foundation, in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent. Meanwhile, Bowie At Breakfast has long been a fixture on Clyde 1, and next April will mark 30 years of the DJ presenting the show live. The 58-year-old, who is also a dance music DJ, has long attended charity events across Scotland without accepting any fee and has helped social groups secure more than £1m in grants. Reflecting on the MBE, he said his 88-year-old mother Betty was overjoyed to hear of his nomination. Bowie added: "I can't describe what this means to her." He described the honour as "amazing" even if others were more deserving and said: "I'm delighted to receive it." Also on the list is Prof Lucina Hackman, from the University of Dundee, who said she was "honoured" to have been given a damehood for services to forensic anthropology. She heads the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification in Dundee where her work has changed the way that mass fatality events in the UK are investigated. Dame Lucina has worked at the university since 2006. She designed, implemented and evaluated training programmes in both forensic anthropology and disaster victim identification (DVI), when no such professional approach existed. This led to her becoming a "go to" adviser for Interpol and other global investigative authorities. Dame Lucina has given evidence in court in relation to trauma analysis, identification, and age estimation. One of her areas of expertise is helping to identify the age of asylum seekers and refugees. "My line of work revolves around what are often very difficult and traumatic circumstances, but delivers something which is vital to society," she said. "To have that honoured in this way is deeply rewarding." Numerous Scottish academics have been honoured, including Prof Andrew Morris from the University of Edinburgh, who has been given a knighthood in recognition of his services to medical sciences and public health. He is vice-principal of data science and currently leads Health Data Research UK, a biomedical research institute. The academic was previously dean of medicine at the University of Dundee and advised the Scottish government as chief scientist within the health directorate. People working for charities and the voluntary sector have been recognised as well, including James Coles, team leader of Moffat Mountain Rescue Team, who has been made an MBE for services to mountain rescue. Gordon Deans, chairman of Orkney2025, has been given the same honour for services to sport and island communities. Former Scotland rugby international Ian Robertson has been made an OBE for services to rugby union and broadcasting. The former Scotland fly half played in three Calcutta Cup matches and became the BBC's official rugby union correspondent in 1983. "With Scotland qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in decades, it is particularly fitting that Scottish footballing legend Lou Macari has been recognised by His Majesty. "Macari won 24 caps for Scotland, including in the doomed 1978 Argentina campaign – we all hope for a better result this time. "Scotland's vibrant education, science and energy sectors are well represented. I'm particularly pleased to see Scotland's renewables and nuclear energy expertise recognised – as our nation leads our drive to clean power." Alexander added: "The list is a testament to the extraordinary difference that ordinary people make in their communities every day. "It recognises those who give so much of themselves in service to others. "Scotland is fortunate to have so many remarkable people working quietly and tirelessly to make it a better place, and it is right that we take this moment to celebrate them." Companion of Honour - Limited to 65 people. Recipients wear the initials CH after their name CBE - Commander of the Order of the British Empire OBE - Officer of the Order of the British Empire MBE - Member of the Order of the British Empire

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul O'HareBBC ScotlandA desperate Scotland supporter is on a race against time to reach Boston after his US visa was approved on the eve of Scotland's World Cup opening match. Kenny Smith from Inverness was one of the many fans who saw their their Esta travel permits withdrawn without explanation last week. But after his travel was approved at the US embassy in London on Friday morning, airport delays caused him to narrowly miss his connecting flight in Dublin. He will spend the night there and hopes to arrive in Boston at 14:45 EST on Saturday, just hours before kick-off at 21:00 (02:00 BST). "Now it is mission critical," he said. Smith, who is lead singer with folk rock band Torridon, described the turn of events as "unbelievable". "It took ages to get the bags off. I missed my check-in by 15 minutes," he said. "I am booked on tomorrow and due to arrive in Boston around 14:45." Smith, who joined the US embassy queue at 07:30, told BBC Scotland News there were several Scotland fans lined up. At the desk the official behind the glass who approved his visa said: "I am so sorry you had to go through this." Smith said: "I could have cried - and I did later. I said 'I could cuddle you just now'. "He said a fist bump would do so we fist bumped on the screen and off I went. "I have never had a feeling like it in my life. I am going to Boston." Smith said the "rollercoaster" experience since his visa was revoked last week had given him chest pains. The security firm boss said he was failed by the system but finally got a result thanks to the people, including politicians and fellow fans, who rallied to his cause. Smith said: "I can't keep track of the messages. It has been absolutely incredible." He hopes other Scotland fans in the same situation manage to get the green light to travel to the US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico. Smith has been following Scotland home and away since he was 16. He was too young to attend the 1998 World Cup in France and vowed he would be at the next one. But he never imagined it would be almost three decades later. Scotland will face Haiti on the opening match in the Boston Stadium in Foxborough before taking on Morocco at the venue at 23:00 BST next Friday. The final group match in Miami - which kicks off at 23:00 on 24 June - will pit the national side against five-time winners Brazil. Earlier this week a Scotland football fan told BBC Scotland News how he found out an hour before flying that his travel permit had been revoked. Michael Wright ended up having to send his brother through the security gates at Manchester Airport on his own when his visa status switched to "travel not authorised". Other members of the Tartan Army previously told how they could lose out on thousands of pounds in travel costs due to the ESTA changes. In order to travel to America, applicants must complete a form, pay a fee, and receive approval before travel. An approved Esta is usually valid for two years and allows multiple short visits. UK citizens with certain criminal convictions or immigration issues are usually not eligible. In December, the White House said it wanted to make social media checks part of the process of applying for the permissions. Anyone who does not qualify for an Esta has to apply for a US visa instead, but this can be a lengthy progress.

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Luciano Pavarotti provided the most dramatic of soundtracks with the aria Nessun Dorma - which translates to none shall sleep - from Giacomo Puccini's Turandot. In the opera, suitors of a princess are given three riddles to solve to win her hand. There's a catch, though - failure equals death. While not quite vying for a royal bride, the comparisons with the Italia 90 World Cup anthem and Scotland's campaign are clear. The riddles? How to beat Costa Rica in the opening match and how to get enough points from subsequent games against Sweden and Brazil to qualify for the knockout stage. In a welcome plot twist, even a third-placed finish might be enough. Surely a happy ending would befall the Scots this time? Instead, they made their mark with gusto, Juan Arnoldo Cayasso's goal early in the second half the only one of the game. "This touches a raw nerve," 1990 Scotland head coach Andy Roxburgh told BBC Scotland. "Their coach, Bora Milutinovic, has become a good friend of mine. He said to me, 'You hadn't a clue what we would do'. They played a lot of closed-door matches and practised tactics endlessly. He knew everything about us because all our warm-up matches were on public display. "We could have won 3-1 or 4-1. Maurice Johnston had a couple of chances that normally would have ended up in the back of the net.'' Johnston, though, was thwarted by Costa Rica goalkeeper Luis Gabelo Conejo. Former Scotland midfielder Stuart McCall recalled: "There was an old story that we'd found out that they had a really small goalkeeper, hence we started with big Alan McInally up front and put in loads of high balls. But he was 6ft 3in and outstanding! Plucking balls out of the air in the 18-yard box." McCall also remembers being showered with Scotland scarves as he left the pitch as Tartan Army ire rained down. Roxburgh added: "I remember the next day there was a headline somewhere of 'Stop the world, we want to get off' and it was all about how I should be sacked." Roxburgh acknowledged the pressure was already building on Scotland. It was the same for Sweden, their next opponents, who had started with defeat by Brazil. The game on 16 June in Genoa was key for both teams. "On the way to the stadium, we saw a big sign, which read, 'Don't worry Andy, your P45 is in the post'. I even laughed myself," he says. "But I remember standing in the tunnel and seeing the boys standing tall, while the Swedes looked nervous. I thought, 'I'm glad I'm with the team in dark blue'." McCall agreed, adding: "I've played a couple short of 1,000 competitive matches and I genuinely believe two of those were won in the tunnel. One of them was when I was at Bradford and we beat Wimbledon to stay in the Premiership, the other was that night against Sweden. "We had Roy Aitken at the front giving it all the Braveheart stuff, Alex McLeish with his red hair and freckles, Jim Leighton and Robert Fleck had their teeth out. You looked across at the Swedes, tanned Adonises. They looked like athletes, we looked like savages the way we were shouting and bawling." The Scots struck the first blow early, McCall getting on the end of a Dave McPherson flick-on after 11 minutes. "I was always deadly from a few inches," he joked. Johnston converted from the spot to earn a 2-0 lead and Glenn Stromberg's goal four minutes from time was not enough for Scotland to come unstuck. Pride restored and the hope of qualification hauled back from the realms of a long shot. While the Swedes faced Costa Rica, Scotland lined up to play Brazil four days later in Turin. With four of the six third-placed teams making the last 16, a point would be enough. Even defeat may not be fatal. "Playing for a draw would have shown the wrong attitude," Roxburgh said. "[Aitken] had a header cleared off the line by Branco. Some people say that stirred the Brazilians up - the game had gone flat and then suddenly they realised we wanted to win." McCall added: "I remember arriving in the stadium and both buses arrived together. The Brazilians were being mobbed by all these dancing beauties and we had the Tartan Army offering us swigs of lager. "We held our own against them, though; there was nothing in the game." But, with nine minutes to play and Scotland on track for qualification, substitute Muller nudged in after goalkeeper Jim Leighton parried a shot. Minutes later, the Scots came agonisingly close to a leveller, only to be denied by a moment of brilliance. "I knocked the ball down to wee Mo and he hit it terrifically on the half volley about six or eight yards out," McCall recollected. "But Taffarel made an unbelievable save and tipped it over the bar. It was typical Scotland. Another hard luck story.'' A hard luck story with an epilogue as it turned out. All was not lost yet. With just two points from three matches, it was still possible the Scots could qualify if results in other groups went their way. That meant an agonising 24-hour wait. "We'd moved to a quiet town," McCall explained. "We had to kill time going for a walk, having a coffee then watching those games, but none of the results went our way and we were out." In true operatic style, the metaphorical Fat Lady had sung and, as far as Scotland were concerned, it was the same old song. Goalkeepers: Leighton (Aberdeen), Goram (Oldham Athletic), Gunn (Norwich City) Defenders: McLeish (Aberdeen), Aitken (Newcastle United), Gough (Rangers), Malpas (Dundee United), Gillespie (Liverpool), Levein (Heart of Midlothian), McKimmie (Aberdeen), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian) Midfielders: McStay (Celtic), Bett (Aberdeen), MacLeod (Borussia Dortmund), McCall (Everton), Collins (Hibernian), McAllister (Leicester City) Forwards: Johnston (Rangers), McCoist (Rangers), Durie (Chelsea), McInally (Bayern Munich), Fleck (Norwich City)

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Players receiving a red card in the 2026 World Cup will receive a one-match suspension. This applies to both straight red cards and red cards that are the result of the same player being cautioned twice. During the opening game of the tournament, three red cards were shown. It means that South Africa's Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane will miss their side's match against the Czech Republic, while Mexico defender Cesar Montes will miss their meeting with South Korea. Players can also receive suspensions for an accumulation across multiple matches. Should players received two bookings, they will be handed a one-match suspension. However, yellow cards are wiped following the conclusion of the group stage. They are wiped again following the conclusion of the quarter-finals. Contact formContact formPlayers who will miss next World Cup match because of red cardSphephelo Sithole (South Africa) This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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When Edin Dzeko decides the time is right to retire, the highlights reel of his career will be extensive. Two Premier League titles headline an impressive collection of honours won with the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg. Yet the enduring image of the 40-year-old's career may prove to be an altogether more vulnerable one. Moments after Bosnia-Herzegovina had beaten Italy on penalties to qualify for only their second World Cup, Dzeko celebrated cautiously while nursing his arm in a sling. It's the kind of wear and tear you might expect for a man who for almost 20 years has carried the hopes of a nation still deeply affected by past horrors. "His career is connected to the country's own image - resilience, persistence and proving people wrong," Bosnian journalist Sasa Ibrulj says of Dzeko. Placed in a relatively even group with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, the final chapter of Dzeko's story as a player could be the beginning of a new one for his country. His team's campaign begins against co-hosts Canada (Friday, 20:00 BST). The anatomy of a Golden Boot winner - and who could win it in 2026? Dzeko was six years old when the Bosnian War began in 1992, a conflict that cost the lives of around 80,000 fellow Bosnian Muslims. The Srebrenica Genocide perpetrated by Bosnian Serb forces was the largest massacre in Europe since the Holocaust. His family remained in Sarajevo during the near four-year siege of the city, as Serbian snipers targeted civilians including children. He moved to live with his grandparents after his parents' house was destroyed. "It was terrible," Dzeko told the Guardian. "The whole family was there, maybe 15 people all staying in an apartment about 35 metres square. It was very hard. We were stressed every day in case somebody we knew died." A young Dzeko often played on a local football pitch, but one day his mother made him stay at home; that day a shell hit the field and killed several children. After the war, Dzeko began his football journey with local club Zeljeznicar, but in his early career went largely misunderstood. He was nicknamed Kloc - local slang for lamp-post - because of his lanky appearance, and Zeljeznicar directors could not believe their luck when Czech side Teplice offered to buy him for 25,000 euros. Years later, Dzeko became the first player to score at least 50 goals in the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A, but he did not forget his roots amid superstardom. He has made several donations to aid renovations at Zeljeznicar, and in 2009 became Bosnia's first Unicef ambassador. "People remember that he did not come from privilege or from a powerful football system," says Ibrulj. "What makes him different is that people in Bosnia have never experienced him as distant or untouchable." Dzeko's friend, Mirza Trbonja, told AFP: "When he comes, you need a lasso to catch 10 minutes with him. When someone asks him for a photo or autograph, he never refuses." Dzeko made his international debut in 2007, and now holds the records for the most appearances (148) and most goals (73) for Bosnia. After losing to Portugal in the play-offs for both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, Dzeko helped Bosnia qualify for their first major tournament since independence. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil proved to be the first and last for Bosnia's so-called golden generation, as play-off heartbreak struck again for Euro 2016, 2020 and 2024. Then, 12 years later, Bosnia overcame their play-off demons by beating Wales and then Italy on penalties having trailed to both. Ibrulj says: "2014 felt historic because it was the first generation that truly gave Bosnia international sporting legitimacy after independence. "This second qualification feels even heavier emotionally. Bosnia spent more than a decade failing to return, and over those years there was disappointment, pessimism and a growing feeling that the country had missed its moment. "For many younger supporters, this is the first team that feels like their team in the same way older generations emotionally belonged to the side of Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Emir Spahic." For musician Alen Dokic - who has produced a World Cup song under the alias Doppelganger - Bosnia's qualification is an example of 'Bosanski Inat', a cultural mindset of defiance and overcoming adversity. "Never forget, never forgive - this is one of the mottos that reminds us who we are, what we have been through, and how resilient we Bosnians are," says Dokic. Dokic, born in Rome to Bosnian parents, is part of a Bosnian diaspora thought to be as large as two million people. Sergej Barbarez's World Cup squad mixes experience with youth and vibrance. Seventeen of the 26 players were born outside of Bosnia & Herzegovina. "It's a unique dynamic of players growing up all over the world but coming back to represent Bosnia," says former Bosnia goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Esmir Bajraktarevic, scorer of the penalty that sent Bosnia to the World Cup, is one such player. The 21-year-old was born and raised in Wisconsin after his parents fled Srebrenica. "That common interest, common goal, the passion of representing Bosnia plays a big role," he says. "What the country has been through, there's still lingering effects from the conflict and the past. "When everyone comes together in Bosnia, it's a pretty unique feeling and really special. For a country so small to compete at this stage is a really big thing." After the Italy match, thousands of fans took to the streets and partied until dawn. "This is still a country shaped by political division, economic uncertainty and the long shadow of war, so moments of collective joy carry unusual weight," says Ibrulj. Who are the oldest players to feature at a World Cup? Despite the lack of investment and sporting infrastructure in a nation of three million people, the future of the national team looks bright. It feels fitting that Dzeko should captain Bosnia as they enter a new era. "For younger players he became a constant. Coaches changed, federations changed, generations came and went, but Dzeko remained there," says Ibrulj. "In a country where people often struggle to trust institutions, figures like that become larger than sport itself." After a video of Italian players allegedly celebrating the fact that they would face Bosnia instead of Wales in the play-off final went viral, Dzeko showed his leadership qualities. He implored supporters to respect the Italian anthem, reminding them that Italy were the first side to visit Bosnia after the war. "He is someone who has big pressure and expectation on him," says Begovic. "He galvanises everybody. When I played with him he certainly wasn't the most vocal of leaders but he definitely led by example and I think a lot of people fed off that." But Dzeko isn't going to the World Cup to cheerlead from the sidelines. After scoring a late equaliser against Wales before setting up the equaliser against Italy, the 40-year-old clearly still has plenty to offer. "I didn't think I would be playing at 40 - 10 years ago I would've said 'no', but I'm listening to my body and doing a lot of work before and after training to help my body," says Dzeko. "I am so happy I can do it [go to the World Cup]. It is so amazing for the young players. They don't know it yet, but it will change their lives for sure." Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast SoundsGet football news sent straight to your phone

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There was a time when football boots came in one colour - black. That has not been the case over the past quarter of a century or so, with all the colours of the rainbow coming to the party as the major brands have sought to stand out from the crowd. Yet at the 2026 World Cup, things appear to have come full circle, with players all back to wearing the same colour again - only this time it is pink. The key reason is because the top-selling global brands Nike, Adidas and Puma have all produced similarly-styled boots in similar hues for the showpiece event. That was evident during the opening match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, when almost every player on the pitch appeared to be wearing bright pink boots. Here is why it will be the dominant colour at the World Cup. Contact formContact formHow did brands know pink was 'in' for 2026?In the past, industry-leading brands such as Nike, Adidas and Puma have often favoured more understated black and white designs. But this summer their latest releases have been centred around standing out from the crowd through bold, vibrant colours. Back in 2024, consumer trend forecaster WGSN predicted 'Electric Fuchsia' would be one of the defining colours of the 2026 summer season. The company described "a vivid neon with a kinetic and digital quality" and a "luminous hue, sitting between pink and purple". Whether such a prediction resonated with the design experts at Nike, Adidas and Puma, we can't say. So is it a coincidence almost every major boot style is pink? When manufacturers begin to design new boots - a process that can start up to two years before release - they often consult trend forecasters such as WGSN to learn which colours, themes and styles are likely to be 'in' when the product eventually hits the shelves. But there are other factors as to why pink has been a hit in football. Of course, players are far more open to wearing extravagant boots than previous generations. But the simple reason the companies have hit upon pink is because of how it contrasts with the green of the pitch. It stands out whether you are watching on television, at the stadium, or scrolling on your phone. The pink boot shows up if you are looking at slow-motion clips, or watching under stadium lights. But the irony may be that, with so many manufacturers arriving at pink, perhaps it is more difficult for their designs to stand out? This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMegan BonarBBC Scotland, BostonThe Tartan Army is feeling the heat in Boston as plane-loads of fans continue to arrive in the city as the World Cup gets underway. Visitors are facing 31C temperatures, with the soaring heat expected to continue into Saturday when Scotland's men face Haiti in their opening match. Around 30,000 fans are expected in Boston for the fixture and city streets and bars are gradually filling up with kilts and Scotland tops. The tournament kicked off on Thursday night with the opening ceremony and first game between Mexico and and South Africa. Mexico, one of the three host nations, won the match 2-0. The atmosphere has been building at the Haven Bar - Boston's only Scottish pub - with a piper playing the US national anthem and extra Scottish beer shipped in. At one table are brothers Paul Flynn and Gary Collins, who have come together for the tournament. Originally from Glasgow, they now live thousands of miles apart in Australia and York. "There's a real air of anticipation, everyone is in a good jovial mood," said Gary "It feels like we're on the cusp of something special. "The tartan army has got a reputation and Boston is welcoming us well so far. "We've had people pulling over in the car just to say good luck." "Big" Jay Howard and his brother Ed Murray are in charge of security at The Haven. They have been given a crash course in Scottish culture. Jay told BBC Scotland News: "It blew my mind, I came in yesterday and then these guys were wearing these kilts and they just started singing for no reason. An American football fan, Jay said the crowd was very different to what he is used to. He added: "This is a whole new world for me. Bostonians are excited, the bars are booming and it's bringing a real buzz to the city." There have been some concerns about where Scotland fans will go in the city, with larger groups expected to arrive on Friday and Saturday. Boston's main fan zone is oversubscribed and a huge number of travelling fans do not have match tickets. Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, said her office was working on opening a "consumption area" for supporters. It is not clear whether it will be ready in time for Scotland's opening fixture with Haiti at 21:00 local time on Saturday. Many fans are just happy to be in Boston and soak up the atmosphere Jim Brown from Edinburgh said: "It's almost as good as at home. The beer has actually got a head on it here." "A lot of US cities don't have that feeling. I don't think Boston truly knows what is about to hit it." For Nikki Smith from Keith, a lost suitcase has been an unlucky start to the trip, but is not a bad omen for Saturday. He said: "My kilt is in the bag so and I don't have that and my contact lenses are in the bag so I can't see the game but we'll make it work." Meanwhile, dozens of other Scottish fans have reported issues with US travel permits being revoked at the last minute. On Thursday, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said he was "making representations" on behalf of supporters who had problems with their Electronic System of Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Alexander said he had spoken to the British ambassador to the United States who is in touch with US authorities. He said: "Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have gone through the US visa system successfully, but we will continue to work with the US authorities to help resolve this issue as quickly as possible."

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It is a dilemma plenty of people in the UK will be wrestling with over the next few weeks - stay up for the match, or catch up the morning after. But how do you find out what's happened overnight at the World Cup without any spoilers? Well, we are giving you the chance to do that via bbc.co.uk/nospoilers. This page will take you direct to a World Cup highlights page on BBC iPlayer, which will have highlights for every match without telling you who has won. It might give you a hint as to what's happened - if there has been a seven-goal thriller, for example - but we won't be giving you the winner or the result. We'll continue doing that as usual on the BBC Sport website and app and on the World Cup page on BBC iPlayer, but if you want to get your fix without knowing the scores first, head to bbc.co.uk/nospoilers. Add that page as a bookmark, and you can visit direct - allowing you to watch the highlights in blissful ignorance of what happens. If you're watching iPlayer on your TV, head to our World Cup destination page. Just don't come complaining to us if it means you've spent seven minutes watching highlights of a 0-0 draw...

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDan WareingChannel IslandsEngland's over-75s captain has described an upcoming match marking the anniversary of the 1966 World Cup final as the biggest of his career. Geoff Martel, 81, will lead the Silver Lions out at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park stadium on 30 July to face Germany. Not only will it mark the 60th anniversary of England's 4-2 victory at Wembley, but it comes nine months on from the Veterans World Cup, where Martel's team finished runners up to Germany. Martel, who is from Guernsey, said he was confident his side would "give a good account" of themselves. "There's still a lot of things that we've got to do before the match, like make sure we're fully fit," Martel told BBC Radio Guernsey. "We played them two years ago down in Cardiff and we had a World Cup down there and we beat them semi finals. "Then when we played them out in Japan they were much better because it turns out they had several ex-Bundesliga players in their side." Martel said the Germans would be "wanting to cause an upset" and he had already been in touch with their manager. "We had a Zoom call with him and you can tell they are really up for it and, like me, he is considering this the biggest game he's been involved with." While it will be a full match of 90 minutes, Martel said it would not compare to the physical demands the squads getting ready to play the 2026 World Cup are set to face. "Tournament football is unbelievable difficult," he said. "They are fortunate because we don't have the physios and people working in the background that they do, but even then it's still very hard." He added: "We've been fortunate because we've been able to have the players together and I think we've got a very good squad." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram . Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk .

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There is evidence to suggest why Scotland fans are heading into a World Cup opener against an 83rd-ranked nation with an equal sense of trepidation and excitement. Just say the names of Costa Rica or Peru and you will see a shudder go down the spine of any experienced member of the Tartan Army. With Sunday's (02:00 BST) encounter with Haiti ending a 28-year absence from football's grandest stage, BBC Scotland has been digging through the archives. So what does history tell us about the Scots' World Cup curtain-raisers? The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn Goals from Peter Lorimer and Joe Jordan ensured a 2-0 success over minnows Zaire in West Germany - a result the Tartan Army would certainly sign up for this weekend. But it was a scoreline Willie Ormond's men ultimately went on to regret. Draws with Brazil and Yugoslavia meant Scotland failed to progress on goal difference. An unbeaten three-game sequence of one win and two draws would almost guarantee qualification for the knockouts under the more favourable current-day format. Not back then, though. "In hindsight we should have tried to score more goals," said former striker Jordan. "Looking at the big picture, it was a mistake. There was a bit of naivety in it. If that game had been our second or third, the scoreline might have been a little different." Four years later, manager Ally McLeod had the nation believing Scotland would win the 1978 World Cup. A squad loaded with top-level quality travelled to Argentina with almost 60 individual medals in its ranks - from champions of Scotland and England to European Cup and Uefa Cup winners. But next to no research was done on the opposition, with McLeod infamously turning down an offer of an all-expenses-paid scouting trip to Peru. The Peruvians beat Scotland 3-1 in their opening game in Cordoba, contributing to another early exit as the draw with Iran and memorable victory over the Netherlands that followed were not enough. Rowing boats & regrets - Scotland's undefeated 1974 World Cup campaign Scotland took care of bottom seeds New Zealand in their opener in Seville, with goals from Sir Kenny Dalglish, John Robertson, Steve Archibald and a John Wark double. It was the two they conceded that proved crucial, combined with a heavy 4-1 defeat to Brazil and a draw with the Soviet Union. Again, a repeat of those results in the US this month would very likely be enough for the Scots to make a historic progression to the knockouts, but the World Cup format was far more unforgiving in the past. Four years on and it was Sir Alex Ferguson who led the nation to Mexico. It was home time at the first hurdle again, though. Denmark, one of the best sides in Europe, awaited them in match one. Scotland were left to rue their profligacy as Preben Elkjaer Larsen's goal gave the Danes victory, before a defeat to West Germany and a draw with Uruguay. "I always thought the first game was the one," said goalkeeper Alan Rough. "We had to take something, especially with West Germany next." World Cup 1982: Stein, Narey, Brazil & being a cartoon character Against a Scotland side making their fifth consecutive appearance, the debutants made their mark, with Juan Arnoldo Cayasso's goal early in the second half deciding the game. "I remember the next day there was a headline somewhere of 'Stop the world, we want to get off' and it was all about how I should be sacked," said former head coach Andy Roxburgh. Scotland responded with victory over Sweden, but a narrow defeat to Brazil had them heading for the departure lounge. It was the Brazilians they would face in their next World Cup outing, opening the 1998 World Cup in France. Against a star-studded side, the Scots drew level through John Collins' penalty, but a slapstick own goal from Tom Boyd denied Craig Brown's men a precious point. A draw with Norway and a 3-0 defeat to Morocco came next. Of course, Brazil and Morocco feature in Scotland's 2026 World Cup group, 28 years on from their last showing on football's grandest stage. Steve Clarke will hope it is not a case of deja vu. But first, there is an opportunity to make a mark against Haiti. The Tartan Army have been scarred by past failures against favourable opposition, but cautious optimism is building that perhaps this time could be different. Everything you need to know about the World Cup

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ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleStephen BrownandDanielle Malgwi,South EastA football supporter who attended the 1966 World Cup final has travelled to the US in the hope of seeing England win this year's tournament. Dave Thompson, from Canterbury in Kent, has seen the Three Lions play roughly 150 matches over the last 60 years. Thompson, who was five years old when he saw England defeat West Germany at Wembley Stadium in 1966, said he believed England could win it again in 2026. But having attended matches consistently since 2010, Thompson said that this tournament would be his last due to rising costs. "It's not for fans anymore. This tournament has proved it," Thompson told BBC Radio Kent. "The ticket prices have put a lot of people off. They're avoiding the friendlies as well, so there's not been a great deal of atmosphere." In December, Fifa introduced a small number of "more affordable" $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup following criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament. Since then, the sport governing body's practices are being investigated by the attorney generals of New York and New Jersey for "artificially inflating prices" and "misleading fans". Thompson said that his trip, including travel and tickets, had cost him about £20,000. "I've been going to the tournaments since 2010, so I didn't want to stop," he said. He added that he did not want to "tempt fate" by not attending this year. Thompson said that he will only be attending England matches due to the cost, adding that he has tickets for the sides group stage matches so far. "It's not worth going to watch another team when you've got to pay five or six hundred dollars to watch a team that you're not really following," he said.

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The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn In the days following Unai Emery's appointment as Aston Villa head coach, captain John McGinn was north of the border catching up with some old friends. Some classic west of Scotland pessimism had set in. "He's going to think 'Who's this wee Scottish guy?'" he told his mates in a panic, fearing the worst about his place in how the Spaniard would reshape Villa. If he was to replay that scene in his head almost four years on, he would surely find it difficult not to chuckle at his own expense. McGinn lifted Villa's first major silverware in 30 years last month and the 31-year-old has just enjoyed his highest-scoring season at club level. It is the latest in a line of success stories McGinn has been integral to. At St Mirren he was part of their first cup triumph in 26 years while he played the full 90 minutes when Hibernian ended their 114-year wait for another Scottish Cup. He will feature in his nation's first men's World Cup match in 28 years on Sunday (02:00 BST) after playing a key role in back-to-back European Championship qualifications. Whatever jersey he has on, success seems to follow the all-action midfielder. It feels more like a direct relationship than pure coincidence. Defying the odds and hitting new heights has been the tale of a relentless ascent - although it is one that was a millimetre away from cruelly ending before it had really started. BBC Scotland charts the rise of a modern-day Scotland great, from Clydebank council pitches to football's grandest stage. Set up BBC Sport website and app to show you more Scotland this World Cup The chances of a youngster in the UK achieving their dream of making it in the professional game are lower than 1%, so it is quite something for McGinn and his two older brothers to have all managed it. Paul, a former postman, played at Queen's Park alongside Scotland internationals Andy Robertson and Lawrence Shankland. He is now captain of a thriving Motherwell side. His other older brother, Stephen, who also played for St Mirren, seems destined for a successful coaching career given the impressive work he has done as part of Falkirk's backroom team. His late grandfather, Jack, was Scottish FA president and Celtic chairman. His mum, Mary, taught her youngest son at school and even coached his school team. Born and raised in a working-class area on the outskirts of Glasgow, McGinn takes pride in the fact his rise has taken a different path from many Premier League players. He buzzed about the streets of Clydebank while his brothers tried to make their way in the game. 'No ball games' signs posed a problem - as they did for many 90s kids on west of Scotland council estates - but McGinn chose to rebel. Well, his mum did. After pestering the local council into submission, two sets of goals were hammered into a nearby patch of gravel where the McGinn brothers, extended family and friends could run wild. Without that persistence from mum, who knows where the careers of her sons would have gone, if anywhere. McGinn spent day and night dreaming of becoming Celtic great Henrik Larsson on that red ash pitch. Then it became Shunsuke Nakamura. But when Stephen broke into the St Mirren side, John had a new hero. Within minutes of the gates opening in Paisley, McGinn was sitting front row to see his big brother warm up. Watching those experiences drove him and, within a few years, he was in St Mirren's first team. "He was a revelation," said former manager Danny Lennon. "He wasn't the biggest, but he had the heart of a lion," added the ex-Buddies boss, who led the Paisley club to their 2013 League Cup triumph. McGinn thought his career had peaked that night, which ended with the youngster being carried out of a Glasgow pub and bundled into a taxi home. The idea that McGinn's career had hit its ceiling could not have been further off the mark, but he was lucky to have one at all two years later. A training-ground prank went horribly wrong when St Mirren team-mate Steven Thompson injured McGinn by piercing his thigh with a spiked pole. McGinn revealed he would have "bled out in a minute" had he been punctured a millimetre closer to his femoral artery. A breakthrough spell at St Mirren came to an end in 2015, and he joined a Hibs side then in the second tier after potential moves to Wigan and Houston Dynamo failed to materialise. He experienced Scottish Cup glory with Alan Stubbs, but his game went to a new level under Neil Lennon, who described McGinn as "the fulcrum" of his team. But the former Celtic boss knew how to give his star man tough love. Boasting the reputation of the Championship's top performer, Lennon told McGinn "you're not even the best player in your house" in the aftermath of a defeat to brother Stephen's St Mirren. He was later fined for taking a shortcut home by leaving Paisley with his family rather than travelling on the team bus back to Leith. McGinn was at a McDonald's drive-through when a furious Lennon phoned. With Stephen in the car with him, McGinn was told it was the "closest you've got to your brother all night". Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game Together with Scott Allan and Dylan McGeouch, Lennon's Hibs midfield became one of the most formidable in the country after their promotion back to the top flight. "Some of the games there would be boys on his shoulders trying to get the ball off him and he would never lose it," his former team-mate Allan tells BBC Scotland. "I was expecting him to be all action and a wee bit loose with the ball, but I was most surprised about how good he was technically. "That's not mentioned enough, but that's because you always see his fight and drive." In post-match father-son debriefs, Allan's dad had no problem letting his boy know he had underperformed. With McGinn, however, it was different, mainly because it rarely happened. "My dad would always say to me: 'John can't have a bad game, he's always involved'," Allan recalls. "And the way he uses his bum to protect the ball... I show my own son that when he's playing football. It's such a bizarre thing to say, but it's such a crucial tool." That ability to eliminate players using his backside to repel opposition players has become a trademark move. His physique had been questioned and he has conceded he is "no stick man" and "will never be ripped to shreds". He just wanted to be noticed for using his body "in a unique way" - and Villa did, paying £2.75m for his services as Celtic failed to stump up the cash. That now looks a colossal misstep from the Scottish champions, given the bargain McGinn has proved to be south of the border. Previous imageNext imageSlide 1 of 3, John McGinn, McGinn has been part of unprecedented success at each of his clubs, most recently winning the Europa League with VillaEnd of image galleryA crunching tackle at the Holte End against Wigan on his Villa debut endeared him to the support. His first goal, a wonder strike against Sheffield Wednesday, came a month later. He ended his first campaign in Birmingham by scoring the winner in the Championship play-off final against Derby at Wembley. It is poignant that the lad responsible for taking Villa back to the Premier League in 2019 went on to lift the Europa League as captain seven years later. He has become a legend at the club with more still to give, but it is his bubbly, larger-than-life character that sets him apart from most. When revealing to BBC Sport in 2022 why he was given the nickname 'Meatball', he said it was born from him having a "big, round head" with a buzzcut during his days at St Mirren. Last week, he was comfortable admitting to BBC Scotland that he had packed a European plug adapter for his summer trip to the US. McGinn does not take himself too seriously - possibly because he knows if he did that he would be brought crashing back down to earth by his grounded family and friends. "He's the same person he is now as he was back then," Allan adds. "That's a huge credit to himself and his parents." McGinn was called up and capped for his nation when playing in Scotland's second tier. That is rare. His ability helped earn him that, of course, but it was an off-field moment that Gordon Strachan noticed when spying on the Under-21s that told the head coach he was right for his squad. With the kit man struggling to remove equipment from the team bus, McGinn was the only player to offer a helping hand as his team-mates headed straight for the training pitch. "That told me right away what he is about - he looks after people," Strachan said. McGinn has recently received praise from fans for voicing concerns to Kevin Bridges about World Cup ticket and travel costs in a new BBC documentary. Those issues were brought up as McGinn waited for his full Scottish breakfast - with an "extra tattie scone" - being cooked up in his local Clydebank cafe. After 10 years, 86 caps and 10 goals, there is a scenario in which this man of the people retires as Scotland's men's leading scorer and most-capped player. He is 16 appearances off the record set by Sir Kenny Dalglish, whose joint landmark goals tally with Denis Law is 10 better than McGinn's. The problem he has as far as the caps milestone is concerned, is his captain Andy Robertson is above him and showing no signs of exiting the national side. Robertson's rise has rightly been given the fairytale treatment, but McGinn's is on a similar scale. McGinn is 31 but his story still has pages to fill. Another Champions League campaign is on the way in a Villa side buoyed by long-awaited silverware. First, however, there is a World Cup to savour. McGinn is a Harry Potter fanatic, but there is no fiction about the story of the boy from Clydebank who will in the coming weeks attempt to sprinkle more magic on the career of his dreams. Everything you need to know about the World Cup