The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is under way with tensions already spilling over. Scotland, whose squad features among the oldest at the tournament, have been labelled “unprofessional” by Norway after a pre-tournament incident, while England manager Thomas Tuchel has criticised his side’s “freestyle” approach.
Fifa has published a list of the 10 oldest players at the World Cup – a reminder that Lionel Messi, at 39, is not even among them – and it is an early win for Scotland: a number of their players rank among the oldest, a fact that might explain Norway’s barb.
“Scotland labelled ‘unprofessional’ by Norway as Fifa confirms oldest players; Tuchel criticises England’s ‘freestyle’ approach.”
The claim of “unprofessional” behaviour from Norway came as Scotland finalise preparations for the tournament, which kicks off in June 2026. The exact nature of the incident has not been detailed, but the accusation adds to the pressure on the team.
For England, Tuchel’s criticism of a “freestyle” approach suggests he is demanding greater discipline after a disappointing build-up. With Harry Kane still chasing the Ballon d’Or, Rob Draper of the Guardian notes that the World Cup could be critical to the striker’s chances of being named the best player in the world.
As fans begin to study fixtures and permutations, the BBC has released a downloadable World Cup 2026 wallchart – an essential piece of kit, they say, for keeping track of results. The wait, they add, is almost over.
With the tournament fast approaching, both England and Scotland have questions to answer: can Tuchel instil structure in a talented but wayward squad, and can Scotland shrug off the Norwegian slight and prove their experience is an asset, not a liability?