For the first time since 1998, both England and Scotland will compete in a men's World Cup this month. The last time they did so, France were hosts and the tournament was won by the hosts. Now, as Thomas Tuchel's England squad flew out to a pre-tournament camp in Miami on Monday and Scotland flew to Florida on Sunday, the wait is almost over.
The buildup has been overshadowed by controversy over the eye-watering price of tickets, particularly in the United States. But for those who can afford to be there, the tournament promises to deliver the kind of drama that defined a gripping season of British football.
“England and Scotland meet at a men's World Cup for first time since 1998, after a season of drama including Arsenal's penalty agony and Scotland's thrilling title race.”
In England, the Premier League's upwardly mobile middle classes confirmed the strength in depth of the richest men's league in the world, according to a Guardian editorial. Aston Villa won their first European trophy since the 1980s, and Crystal Palace the first in their history – a Uefa Conference League final staged in Leipzig against Rayo Vallecano, a joyous spectacle for south London. Arsenal, however, endured the agonising climax of the men's Champions League final in Budapest, losing on penalties. Penalty shootouts, the Guardian wrote, are "a sporting version of Russian roulette – a brutal way to lose a football match". Yet the Arsenal women's team offered consolation, winning the inaugural Fifa Women's Champions Cup and reaching the Uefa Champions League semi-final; they remain the only English women's team to have won the latter.
Scotland's most dramatic championship race for 40 years saw Hearts come within minutes of winning a first title since 1960, humbling the old firm duopoly of Rangers and Celtic.
Now the focus shifts to the World Cup. The Guardian's team of football writers have given their tournament verdicts, picking out standout moments from the group stage onward. Ed Aarons named Paraguay 1-1 Germany as match of the tournament, a last-32 tie decided by a penalty shootout in which Germany – not supposed to lose in that manner – did so "in spectacular fashion". Alexander Abnos described Algeria 3-3 Austria as "a completely strange fever dream", a game that defied expectations of a pre-arranged draw. Nick Ames highlighted Mexico 2-3 England at the Azteca, a grippingly tense match that was a high point for England. Ben Fisher noted France 4-6 England as "borderline hilarious", while Barry Glendenning recalled Argentina 3-2 Egypt, a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback. Sid Lowe simply called it "the game no one wanted to play".
As the tournament unfolds, England and Scotland will hope to write their own chapters. For both nations, as the Guardian editorial put it, there are reasons to believe.