Scotland open World Cup against Haiti as McTominay declared fit

Haiti up first, 28 years in the waiting

This is it. Scotland walk out in Foxborough on Saturday for their first World Cup match since 1998, with Haiti standing between you and a dream start in Group C (2). The opening game of any tournament sets the tone, and after two friendly wins where the squad rattled in eight goals, belief inside the camp is genuine.

The significance cannot be overstated. Scotland have never made it out of the group stage in a World Cup, and you have not even had a chance to rewrite that story since France 98.

McTominay ready to go

Scott McTominay is "perfect and ready to go" after shaking off the stomach illness that threatened his involvement, according to manager Steve Clarke (3). No drama, no late fitness test, the Napoli midfielder is fully available and expected to start.

That matters. McTominay has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Clarke, and his box-to-box presence is central to how Scotland intend to compete in this tournament.

Clarke wants something special

Clarke has called on his squad to "do something special" on their return to the biggest stage (5). The manager knows this group has more than just making up the numbers in them, and the mood around the camp reflects that.

Lawrence Shankland arrives off the back of 16 goals in 29 Premiership appearances for Hearts, and the striker has spoken about a "club feel" within the squad, a togetherness Clarke has carefully cultivated since the disappointment of Euro 2024.

Robertson runs the camp, on and off the pitch

Andy Robertson has taken his captaincy beyond the training ground. The Liverpool left-back organised a game of Traitors among the squad to give every player a voice ahead of the opener, a lighthearted move with a serious purpose (4). Robertson is also closing in on becoming Scotland's most capped men's player, a journey that began in amateur football and now leads the team into a World Cup.

A nation dares to dream

Back home, the country is gripped. "It's all they're talking about," one report from Scotland notes (6). The 28-year wait has built something rare around this team, an optimism that is not blind hope but rooted in a settled tactical setup, a cohesive unit, and a manager who has steadied the ship.

The group stage draw also offers a tantalising knockout carrot: a potential last-16 meeting with France, or a date with England further down the line. But first, Haiti. Everything else is noise.

Weir confirms Real Madrid exit

Caroline Weir has confirmed she is leaving Real Madrid after four years at the club (8). The Scotland midfielder departs with a title regret but her next destination remains unknown. A key figure for the women's national team, wherever she lands next will have major implications for club and country.

Italia 90: a reminder of how close Scotland came

As you prepare for Haiti, the ghosts of World Cups past linger. Andy Roxburgh and Stuart McCall have been recalling the 1990 campaign this week, another chapter of Scottish heartbreak decided by fine margins (1). That history is part of the fabric now. Clarke's squad have a chance to write a different ending.