Scotland have stagnated and World Cup waiting game leaves an uncomfortable question

June 25, 2026 · The Independent

Merlín the duck takes a trip to the stadium, but FIFA rules keep him out of Mexico match
A viral sensation from this World Cup, Merlín the duck was at Mexico City's stadium before the national team's match aga
What Bosnia’s confident Qatar win means for their hopes of reaching World Cup last 32
What Bosnia’s confident Qatar win means for their hopes of reaching World Cup last 32
Four out of five Australian children still using social media despite ban, study finds amid fears over UK crackdown
Early evidence from Australia suggests 80 per cent of young people are still accessing social media despite the country’
‘Gigflation’ costing concert-goers with 212% price surge since 2000, says bank
More than half of people said they enjoy the bands their parents saw when they were younger, Santander UK said.
What Japan’s blueprint to win the World Cup by 2050 tells us about football’s future
The ‘Japan Way’ manifesto has set the highest of long-term targets but Hajime Moriyasu’s team are already delivering ear