Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Image source, RCA

Thanks for joining us today as the wheels of the World Cup begin to turn.

• We kicked things off with a recap of Mexico's 2-0 win over South Africa and South Korea's 2-1 win over Czech Republic.
• In a debate around which of the red cards handed out during the Estadio Azteca curtain-raiser was most justified, the first - to Yaya Sithole - led the way as the fairest decision, according to you and your thumbs.
• Next you sent in your questions to BBC Sport football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan, who gave some great insights into how Scotland will line up against Haiti and which England player is most likely to take up a future role as England manager.
• We then previewed Canada's first game against Bosnia-Herzegovina and looked at how the United States is getting ready for their opener against Paraguay.
• Finally, there was enough time to share the glad tidings that Scott McTominay is back in training with Scotland after a tummy upset scare.

It's been fab. Join us again tomorrow as we bring you the latest from the 2026 World Cup.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

As huge an occasion as this undoubtedly is for Scotland and the tens of thousands of fans in attendance here, make no mistake about what this means for Haiti.

In a country beset by political instability and poverty, the hope and positivity brought about by a first appearance at a World Cup since 1974 is immeasurable.

They might be footballing minnows but they must not be taken lightly - a message Steve Clarke has already sounded loud and clear.

Having watched highlights of some of their warm-up games and qualifiers, they are definitely capable of causing the Scots - and others - problems.

In persuading players of the pedigree of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Wilson Isidor to join the cause in recent months, French coach Sebastien Migne has built a squad determined that their fairytale does not end with simply qualifying for the World Cup, but actually making an impact on the biggest stage of all.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Souttar family

Jack and Heather Souttar, from Luthermuir in Aberdeenshire, have more reason than most fans to be heading to the USA this week.

Their son John is making his World Cup debut in the blue jersey of Scotland while their younger son, Harry, is turning out in the gold of Australia. This means the couple need to get to two first-round games which are 3,000 miles and six days apart.

"It's a big thing, I suppose," Jack said. "We want to support both kids and both countries. Then the ball's in the air for the rest of it."

Both defenders, John now plays at Rangers after stints with Dundee United and Hearts, while Harry - who also started at Dundee United - had a spell at Stoke before joining Leicester City.

John first played for Scotland in 2018 and Harry has been a feature of the Australian national squad since 2019, thanks to mum Heather being born there.

Richard Winton
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay took part in training on the eve of the World Cup opener against Haiti, having missed out the previous day because of an upset stomach.

The Napoli player, who has been the Scots' leading man in recent campaigns, was part of the group as they travelled from their base camp in Charlotte on Thursday.

However, the 29-year-old made his own onward journey with a doctor in what was believed to be a precautionary measure.

Steve Clarke's side get their first World Cup in 28 years under way when they face Haiti on Saturday (Sunday 02:00 BST) at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

They will also face Morocco and Brazil in the group stage.

McTominay, who has scored 15 goals across 70 caps, found the net in Scotland's convincing 4-0 win over Bolivia on Saturday.

Injured midfielder Billy Gilmour was also present at Scotland's training base to support his team-mates as they go through the final preparations for their opener against Haiti.

Gilmour is in a knee brace after he got injured playing in Scotland's 4-1 warm-up win over Curacao on the eve of the tournament.

Image source, PA Media

Scotland

The Scotland players no doubt applied the factor 50 before turning out for today's training session...

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Megan Bonar
Reporting from Boston

Image source, PA Media

Scots arriving in Boston for Scotland's opening match against Haiti on Saturday (US time) are facing 31C temperatures.

Around 30,000 fans are expected in the city for the fixture, and streets and bars are gradually filling up with kilts and Scotland tops.

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.

Originally from Glasgow, brothers Paul Flynn and Gary Collins, have come together for the tournament from their homes thousands of miles apart in Australia and York.

"There's a real air of anticipation, everyone is in a good jovial mood," Gary said. "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."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

The sheer volume of Scotland fans in Boston is already visibly cranking up.

Last night we bumped into Radio 5 Live's very own Pat Nevin who had just arrived, who told us of every plane to pretty much every destination being filled with Tartan Army followers, going every which way to make it over here.

Hope they've packed their sun cream.

Gordon Ramsay is a part of the Scotland takeover in Boston...

We said Gordon Ramsay was in town...here is the celebrity chef at Scotland training.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's football tactics correspondent Umir Irfan was asked in a Q&A in this page earlier today how crucial Scott McTominay was for Scotland:

"I'm a big fan of McTominay myself and I think if Scotland are to get joy, he will likely be central to it. His ability to cover big distances, even in a warmer climate, will be one of his strengths.

"If teams look to press Scotland when they build out from the back, his ability to carry the ball up the pitch will give Scotland respite. He also makes sense as an aerial target when they go long.

"As we've seen for both Manchester United and Napoli, he has match-winning quality. His ball-striking and threat from set-plays will be key if Scotland are to turn tight games into results.

"In short, arguably their most important player for me."

Lewis Irons
BBC Scotland in Boston

Absolute relief. McTominay is in training and looks at his usual best here. He’s sharp in the rondos and looking in good spirits.

Everybody breathe.

More pictures are coming through of Scotland training.

Scott McTominay's appearance in the group was by no means a given.

The Napoli midfielder's absence with an illness looked set to dominate discussion before Saturday's opening game against Haiti.

Image source, PA Media

Calum Macdonald
BBC Scotland in Boston

Relief all round as Scott McTominay trains in Foxboro.

Fantastic news for Scotland fans and Steve Clarke, but the big question now is who misses out tomorrow night against Haiti.

The midfield worked well last Saturday against Bolivia, with Gannon-Doak, Ferguson, McTominay and Christie in there. The notable omission being John McGinn who was rested after a long club season with Aston Villa.

Is it a straight choice between McGinn and Bournemouth's Ryan Christie for the final spot in Clarke's midfield?

We'll never get a consensus, but a thumbs up for McGinn, thumbs down for Christie?

Or get in touch if you think Clarke should change something totally different...

Image source, PA Media

Back to the present day and a bit of welcome good news for Scotland supporters everywhere...

If the Mayor of Boston wants an idea of what to expect over the coming days, here is a few images of the scenes in Munich before Scotland's opening game at Euro 2024...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images