Thanks for joining us on our first World Cup live, building up to the grand opening of the tournament in Mexico City this evening.

It's been an exciting day. Here's what we've covered:

• Reaction to England's 3-0 warm-up win over Costa Rica, which left some of you optimistic and some of you... less so
• We rattled through previews for all twelve groups so you know what to expect from the first stage of the tournament
• BBC Sport chief football writer, Phil McNulty, took the reins and answered your questions about the 48-team format and hairstyles, naturally
• Finally, we turned our attention to Charlotte in North Carolina, where Scotland are preparing for their first World Cup finals in 28 years
• Scotland's news conference can be found on the website from 17:30 BST

Come back on Friday for highlights of the opening day's action in Mexico.

It's been fun! Until next time.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

"This time, it's a different Steve Clarke."

The Scotland boss feels like a new man - and he is sensing a fresh wave of optimism as he leads his team into a third major tournament.

The 62-year-old ended a finals absence of more than two decades when he guided the men's national side to the Covid-impacted Euro 2020.

Play-off heartache in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup was followed by the Scots roaring their way to Euro 2024.

"I've not really enjoyed the previous two tournaments if I'm being honest," Clarke tells BBC Scotland in a candid interview.

That's it for Scotland training. The big news is that Scott McTominay was missing through illness.

Scotland veteran Craig Gordon is the oldest player at the World Cup.

Now 43, the out-of-contract Hearts goalkeeper admitted he felt the occasion might have passed him by.

"Oh, without a doubt I thought this opportunity would pass me by on more than one occasion," Gordon said.

"So to finally be here, to be part of something this big, to finally see it, it's a huge moment for any player in their career.

"And especially for me. For the many years, I've been trying to get here, to finally be here on the edge of the tournament starting properly. It's a fantastic feeling.

"It feels like it's getting real now. The first few weeks have been preparation, everything's been going really well. And now we're finally here, we're the last few days away from getting into the games for real now."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Can we get the Scotland doctor to give Scott McTominay's tummy a rub while the whole nation sends good vibes, please...

*Twitches nervously*

In a letter to Andrew Robertson published by Fifa, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Diogo Jota's three children, said: "Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football... and about dreams.

"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.

"When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.

"By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone.

"You'll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won't just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.

"So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.

"That's how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him."

Image source, Getty Images

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Charlotte

Sitting at Gate B7 and there's a Scotland shirt. Yaldi!

It's the cracking Euro 96 number.

Our man looks like he's had quite the travel day… we've all been there, pal.

John Souttar, Andy Robertson and Jack Hendry have made the choice to rock the vest.

A wise decision.

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson is moving well and chatting to his team-mates. If Scotland are to progress, Robertson may well need a big tournament.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland in Charlotte

Scott McTominay is not at training today. He has an upset stomach, but we’re told it's nothing to worry about.

Scott McKenna could take part in today's session.

Lots of sun cream is being applied.

Scotland's training session in Charlotte has now started. Watch at the top of this page.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Charlotte

So, a few of us had a wee game of nines yesterday - media v Scotland staff - and let's just say I have a newfound respect for the players doing what they do day in, day out in that heat and humidity.

It was ridiculous. Like trying to run in a roasting sauna.

The standard was awful, but we're definitely blaming the conditions. Can only hope Steve Clarke didn't catch any footage of it...

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

So change of plan!

Not for the first time, I've had some duff information, in fairness…

Kenny McLean is today's news conference star.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's TV and radio football pundits and co-commentators have predicted who will win the World Cup...

Martin Keown: Looking at the draw, there will be some absolute blockbuster quarter-finals if the favourites win their groups, like England versus Brazil and Argentina against Portugal - or Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo.

My head is telling me the best team is France, my heart is telling me that it could be England.

Micah Richards: How teams deal with the humidity is going to play a big part at this tournament, so the South American teams will be strong.

But I just feel it's going to be a team who are really good at keeping the ball and that points me in the direction of Spain instead.

Gael Clichy: France, Spain and England are the three for me who will do well. Spain seem to win everything, at every age group, so of course they are up there, but being French I am going for them to win it.

Still no sign of any Scotland training. Hopefully we don't have to wait too much longer.

The UK Government announced earlier this summer that it was relaxing licencing rules, while at the same time urging local authorities to not "be the fun police".

On 6 June, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said councils should deal with licence applications quickly.

Pubs can stay open until 01:00 BST for England or Scotland games that kick off between 17:00 and 21:00 in the group stages, and until 02:00 for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Red tape should not get in the way of fans enjoying the game with friends, and local pubs doing a great trade too."

Pubs have a responsibility to monitor customer's alcohol intake and have the right to refuse to serve them if they are too intoxicated.

Avon and Somerset Police said while it did not want to "stop people having fun", its priority was public safety and extra patrols would be introduced during the tournament.

Image source, Getty Images

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland will play in a World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Squad members Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher were all born post-1998.

They grew up watching James McFadden, Darren Fletcher, Barry Ferguson, Scott Brown, Kenny Miller and many others in dark blue fail to reach the promised land.

Image source, Charlotte FC

On his search for Scotland's World Cup base camp, Steve Clarke found theone in North Carolina, with a wee hand from a few familiar faces.

MLS side Charlotte are coached by Dean Smith, the former Aston Villa manager and pal of Clarke, his assistant is the Scotland boss' former Kilmarnock player, Gary Dicker and the club's technical director is Clarke's ex-St Mirren team-mate, Tommy Wilson.

They say it's not what you know, but who you know.

Image source, Brian Knox, Charlotte FC

A few other nations checked out the Atrium Health Performance Park, while the Scots searched "most of the East Coast", but Charlotte will be their home from home when they compete in their first World Cup since 1998 - against Haiti and Morocco in Boston and Brazil in Miami.

With both cities around a two-hour flight away, Clarke said he is hopeful the "top" facilities will provide his side with the "best possible conditions" as they make their long-awaited return to the biggest stage of them all.