Scotland are at their first men's World Cup since 1998, and BBC Sport has made changes to ensure fans can follow every step of the national team's campaign. The broadcaster said it had heard feedback and worked behind the scenes so that Scotland news can be front and centre. On the website, users signed in with a Scottish postcode will see additional Scottish stories on the front page. In the app, a few taps allow Scottish football news to appear at the top of the page, and fans can follow topics including Scotland Sport, Scotland Men's Football Team and Scottish Football via the My Sport tab.
While Scotland prepare to end a 27-year World Cup absence, two other nations have been dealing with injury setbacks. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the Netherlands' campaign with a groin injury. The 24-year-old had been sidelined since mid-March but featured as a 66th-minute substitute in the Champions League final on 30 May. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said before that match that Timber was "fit". However, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) said on Monday that Timber had "not recovered sufficiently" to take part in the tournament in a "medically responsible manner". He will leave the national team's pre-camp in New York after a friendly against Uzbekistan. Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, who spent last season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, has been called up by Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman. The Netherlands face Japan in their Group F opener on 14 June before games against Sweden and Tunisia.
“BBC Sport tailors coverage for Scotland's first World Cup since 1998 as Timber is ruled out and Neymar progresses.”
Meanwhile, Brazil's all-time leading scorer Neymar has been given a boost after the Brazilian Football Confederation said he was making "good progress" in his recovery from a calf injury. The 34-year-old had a further scan on Monday, and the confederation said: "The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters." Neymar missed Brazil's warm-up friendlies – a 6-2 win against Panama and a 2-1 victory over Egypt – and faces a race to be fit for their opening World Cup group game against Morocco on 13 June. The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain playmaker, who returned to Santos in early 2025, has been dogged by injuries, including a ruptured ACL and meniscus in his left knee sustained while playing for Brazil against Uruguay in October 2023. Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil and is hoping to appear at a fourth World Cup.