A couple of years ago, the slogan, at least outside the dressing room, was “No Scotland, no party”. Now it is different. The core of Andy Robertson’s message was “no regrets”.

No man has captained Scotland in more games, nor led them in three major tournaments. But the first two have provided disappointment. Instead of no regrets, there were no wins. Two years ago, Scotland opened Euro 2024, but it was a false start for them, walloped 5-1 by Germany. Performances were more respectable in Euro 2020 but the outcome was the same: one point apiece.

Now the objective is to go one better and win a game, to do something that has eluded every previous Scotland side and reach the knockout stages of a tournament. “We want to do something special,” said Steve Clarke, a manager who often deals in cautious rhetoric allowing himself to dream.

A first game against Haiti provides the kind of opportunity that facing Germany two years ago did not, to get an early win. “The last Euros was quite unique,” recalled Robertson. “We were in the opener against the host nation which is never an easy task. When it came we maybe weren’t ready to go and strike. Now we’re locked in, we’re ready.”

Ready, he hopes, to go where no Scotland team has gone before. “Don’t come home too soon,” the title of Scotland’s 1998 World Cup song, had a depressive realism too it; every Scotland side have come home too soon. This time, Robertson urged, when they return to Glasgow, it must be with a sense they have done their utmost.

“I don’t think we want any regrets,” he said. “When I look back at the last two Euros you potentially look at certain games with regret. You never want to leave any match with regrets. That’s the aim.”

He could leave Liverpool with none, with the feeling he had given his all over nine years that brought remarkable success. The left-back played in three Champions League finals. Winning in 2019, he said last month, was about the best 24 hours of his life, family apart. And yet one ambition will only be belatedly realised now, at 32.

“I’ve been very fortunate to play in big games, win trophies, play for the biggest club in the world but for me playing for your country is that one step above,” he said. “To do it at a World Cup is a dream come true.”

Scotland got there in a manner that brought reminders of their World Cup history. Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal against the Netherlands in 1978 stood almost unchallenged as Scotland’s greatest strike, until, on the same surreal evening, Scott McTominay went airborne with an overhead kick against Denmark and Kenny McLean completed a play-off win from the half-way line.

Gemmill’s goal was immortalised in Trainspotting; the words of Ewan McGregor’s monologue – “Choose Life” – have been customised in a new advert, read by Lewis Capaldi, devoted to McTominay, with the message: “Choose Scotland”. McTominay, born in Lancaster, did.

The Napoli midfielder provided a scare when he missed training on Thursday due to illness. Clarke allayed fears about a talisman. “Ready to go,” he pronounced.

He nevertheless sought to relieve the pressure on McTominay to be the matchwinner. “I think I have 26 superstars here,” he said. “If you try and put so much on to one player is not fair. Some daft coach put him as a centre-half five years ago, obviously he’s not a centre-half.”

That was a self-deprecating reference to his deployment of McTominay in a back three in Euro 2020. Now McTominay and John McGinn seem to represent Scotland’s best chances of victory, as Gemmill once did.

“We hope we inspire the next generation to go out and kick a ball with their brother, mates or sister,” said Robertson, seemingly referencing the commercialisation and costs of this World Cup. “I did that with my brother in the back garden and with my mates.

“Society and football has become more expensive, but people can always kick a can down the road as they say. This is obviously on the world stage. We see back home how excited kids, parents and grandparents are.”

Some of the excited relatives are in Boston. “A big Clarke clan here,” said the Scotland manager, who has brought his wife, three children, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Boston is a city with a huge Irish influence. For a week or so, however, it may have been taken over by the Scots. After Haiti, it is Morocco in Foxborough, too, with Brazil in Miami and then, Scotland want, at least one more game.

And after that, if Robertson gets his way, a legacy. He added: “We just hope after the World Cup the buzz is still there.”

Where is Hakim Ziyech? Why Morocco superstar isn’t on World Cup squad originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Hakim Ziyech‘s left foot is capable of magic.

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A star winger who represents Morocco at the international level, Ziyech has played on some of the biggest stages in the world. But he won’t be playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for his country.

Morocco opens its tournament on Saturday in a marquee matchup with Brazil.

Ziyech isn’t a part of the squad at all.

Where is Hakim Ziyech?

Ziyech simply wasn’t chosen for the roster at this World Cup.

He’s 33 years old now, and he plays professionally in Morocco for powerhouse Wydad AC.

He last represented Morocco in 2024 — in total, he made 64 appearances with 25 goals.

It doesn’t appear he’ll be returning to international football at this point.

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Hakim Ziyech career timeline

Ziyech got the biggest notice for himself as part of the Morocco World Cup squads in 2018 and 2022.

The 2022 bunch reached the semifinals, the first African nation to ever do so.

At club level, Ziyech began with three clubs in the Netherlands: Heerenveen, Twente and Ajax.

He then made a major move to Chelsea in the English Premier League.

After playing 64 matches and scoring 14 goals for Chelsea, Ziyech moved on to Galtasaray in Turkey, where things were a struggle.

He had a very short stint for Al-Duhail in Qatar before returning to play in Morocco for Wydad.

Ziyech actually represented the Netherlands at youth level before donning the Morocco kit for his senior international career. Now, though, that part of his journey appears to be over.

World Cup Group B action continues on Saturday with a matchup between Switzerland and Qatar. The Swiss are No. 19 in the FIFA rankings, while Qatar enter the 2026 World Cup at No. 57. Switzerland have reached the Round of 16 in each of the last three World Cup tournaments. The last time they have gone as far as the quarterfinals was in 1954. Qatar, meanwhile, are in their second-ever World Cup after going 0-3 in the group stage in 2022 as the host nation.

Kickoff for Qatar vs. Switzerland is 3 p.m. ET in Santa Clara, Calif. The latest Switzerland vs. Qatar odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list the Swiss at -550 (risk $550 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Qatar at +1400 and a draw at +600. The over/under for total goals is 2.5. Before locking in any Qatar vs. Switzerland picks check out the Qatar vs. Switzerland predictions from SportsLine’s Martin Green.

After working in the sports betting industry for several years, Green became a professional sports writer and handicapper and has covered the game worldwide. Last year, Green was profitable in multiple areas on his soccer betting picks, including the Champions League (+211.25) and Bundesliga (+100). He’s also been red-hot in 2026, posting an 18-8 record over his last 26 UCL picks, returning nearly $1,000 in profit. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

Now, Green has studied Qatar vs. Switzerland and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Switzerland vs. Qatar:

Top Qatar vs. Switzerland predictions

After examining Qatar vs. Switzerland from every angle, Green is leaning Over 2.5 total goals (-164). Switzerland have found their scoring touch of late, which included a 4-1 thumping of Sweden in World Cup qualifying. The Swiss also scored four goals in a friendly against Jordan on May 31. “Switzerland cruised through their World Cup qualifying campaign,” Green said. “They faced strong teams like Sweden and Slovenia, but they finished top of their group, with an unbeaten record. The Swiss scored 14 goals and conceded just twice in six games, showing just how strong they are at both ends of the pitch.” 

Qatar, meanwhile, have a couple of solid wins in World Cup qualifying, including a 2-1 victory over United Arab Emirates and 1-0 over Iran. Qatar also feature some scoring punch, led by forward Almoez Ali, who has 55 goals in 115 career matches for the national team. See Green’s best bets for Qatar vs. Switzerland at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Qatar vs. Switzerland at FanDuel here:

How to make Qatar vs. Switzerland picks

After studying Qatar vs. Switzerland from every angle, Green has found a critical x-factor and locked in a pair of best bets, including one that returns plus money.  You can head to SportsLine to see what they are. 

So what are the best bets for Qatar vs. Switzerland? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Qatar vs. Switzerland, all from expert on an 18-8 roll on UCL picks, and find out.

Pierre Gasly’s fight for a Monaco Grand Prix podium has finally ended with the result he wanted.

The FIA has rescinded the two five-second penalties handed to the Alpine driver during the race, restoring Gasly to third place in the final classification.

Gasly originally crossed the finish line in third but was dropped to seventh after being penalized twice for pit lane speeding.

The decision sparked frustration from both Gasly and Alpine, with the team immediately requesting a Right of Review.

Days later, that challenge has paid off.

Formula 1 confirmed that the stewards had removed both penalties, officially reinstating Gasly to P3 and giving Alpine back its podium finish.

Following the decision, Alpine released a statement welcoming the outcome.

“We welcome the decision made by the FIA to deem our Right of Review as admissible following the final classification of last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.”

The team added that the stewards had rescinded both penalties imposed on Car No. 10, restoring the team’s third-place finish.

For Gasly, the decision is a major moment after describing himself as “heartbroken” and feeling “robbed” in the immediate aftermath of the race.

Gasly later celebrated the decision on social media, sharing his relief after several emotional days.

“WE GOT IT BACK!! P3 in Monaco!!” he wrote.

“Been a rollercoaster of emotions the last few days, weird celebrations, but most importantly, incredibly happy we got our result back.”

The Frenchman also thanked Alpine, the FIA and Formula 1 for their support throughout the review process.

“Huge thanks to my amazing team and all the people who supported us!! Thanks FIA & F1 for the transparency of the situation. One to remember!”

Now, the podium he earned on track officially belongs to him once again.

India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem Safi, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

Canada opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, earning the country’s first point in World Cup history.

The co-hosts started brightly in front of their home fans at BMO Field and looked determined to make a strong statement in their opening Group B match. However, Bosnia took the lead against the run of play when Jovo Lukic headed home from a corner kick in the first half.

Despite falling behind, Canada continued to push forward and created several chances. Their efforts were finally rewarded late in the second half when substitute Cyle Larin produced a brilliant finish to level the score.

Larin made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, scoring just over two minutes after entering the game. His goal sparked wild celebrations among the Canadian supporters and secured a valuable point for Jesse Marsch’s side.

The match was closely contested, with both teams creating opportunities. Canada enjoyed more possession and had slightly more shots on target, while Bosnia remained dangerous whenever they attacked.

Canada midfielder Ismael Kone was one of the standout performers. He controlled the midfield, completed the most passes in the match and was named Player of the Match.

The result leaves Canada in a strong position in Group B. They will next face Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday, knowing that a victory could move them closer to a place in the knockout stages.

Bosnia and Herzegovina will take on Switzerland in their next group match in California. The draw extended Bosnia’s unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.

For Canada, the result marked another important step in the country’s football development. After losing all six matches in their previous World Cup appearances, the Canadians finally have a point on the world stage and will now look to build on that achievement in front of their home supporters.

PurplePTSD works in partnership with Vikings Territory, similarly doing their utmost to offer top-notch coverage of the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, we’re promoting five of their top articles of the past month in “The P/PTSD Perspective.” Take a peek at some of their best stuff.

The P/PTSD Perspective: June 13th, 2026

1) The Vikings Have “Most Explosive” Player Since 2021: As it turns out, Justin Jefferson isn’t too bad at playing football. Imagine how good he could still become if he had a consistently strong passer putting in work under center.

2) Vikings’ Former Rival Calls Out Kevin O’Connell “Slip Up:” Everything is being subject to intense scrutiny. Quite possibly, this is merely a matter of a human being a human, saying something casual and not meaning anything too much by the quick blip. Let the offseason competition play out.

3) WR Tai Felton Could be at a Crossroads: Give the kid a chance. He’s still very young, adjusting to the NFL as a late-3rd who was a menace on specials but modest on offense. His speed really pops when seeing him live. Again, give him a chance.

4) The J.J. McCarthy Trade Scenario: Very small chance he gets traded, folks. In fact, I’m of the opinion that he makes more starts than Kyler Murray in the upcoming season. That’s a minority opinion, but that’s where I’m at. Expect the kid QB to be in Minnesota for 2026 and into 2027 as a minimum.

5) The 2 New Vikings Corners Offer Size and Snarl: Lots to like in those two new corners. Each are long and speedy, setting them up to shine along the outside. Mr. Pierre, in particular, appears ready to take on a beefy workload in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Mr. Demmings should be soaking up wisdom to someday takeover.

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.