Two summers ago, Scotland's Euros opener proved to be one of their biggest letdowns under Steve Clarke - a 5-1 loss to hosts Germany.

"We have to remember how bad that felt," the head coach said.

Clarke believes that crushing defeat put Scotland "on the back foot" for the remainder of their tournament, which again ended at the group stage.

"This time, we have to make sure we start on the front foot," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Charlotte

A couple of us are beating the traffic and heading up to Boston a little earlier, so we're missing Scotland's last training session at the impressive Atrium Health Performance Park - for a few days, anyway.

It's a really cracking facility. You can check out our behind the scenes tour of the place here, external.

This is airport number four in the States for me and, still, the lack of World Cup buzz is wild. The tournament starts today, troops!

Asked what Scot he would like to see in the dressing room after Scotland's opening World Cup game, midfielder John McGinn said: "Bob [Robert] MacIntyre, I would say. He could give me some tips on my putting."

Not who I had in mind.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Aston Villa captain John McGinn is the man we believe who will be speaking to the media from their camp in Charlotte today before travelling east to Boston.

McGinn didn't start Scotland's impressive 4-0 win over Bolivia on Saturday, leaving Steve Clarke a bit of a conundrum as to who gets left out to face Haiti. Surely it can't be him?

Image source, Jim Stewart

Fans who have already travelled to the US include 69-year-old Jim Stewart from Edinburgh.

He has been following Scotland since he saw his first game at Hampden as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 1972.

That match ended in a 1-0 defeat to England – but Jim was hooked.

One of his most memorable moments came in 1977 at Wembley, where he saw the 2-1 victory over England. The match is still remembered for the post-match pitch invasion, where fans stole parts of the turf and broke the crossbar on one of the goals.

"I was on the pitch that day. My dad's got a bit of Wembley turf in his garden somewhere still - but no goalposts," said Jim.

His first World Cup was Spain in 1982, when he and eight friends bought a campervan, covered it in tartan wallpaper and drove to Malaga.

You can watch Scotland train in Charlotte from 15:00 BST on this page.

Chris Sutton
Former England forward

Sutton's pre-tournament picks: Brazil (winners) and Scotland (runners-up). Morocco to finish third and Haiti fourth.

Brazil v Morocco: 2-1

Haiti v Scotland: 1-2

Charlie Adam
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Scotland

If we can win that [game v Haiti] then it gives us a good stepping stone. I expect Brazil to win the group, win every game. The Moroccans are not going to be easy either.

There's no easy game. This Haiti game will not be easy but I expect us to get through it. Four points would be expectational to get us to the knockout stages.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland in Boston

The American dream is alive!

Good morning from a glorious Boston and the surprisingly good view from my hotel room. The last one I had was a building site, so you take what you can get.

Our flight from Edinburgh to New York yesterday was rammed with Scotland fans, so the Scotland team even got a wee good luck message over the intercom when we landed.

A marathon five-hour bus journey to Boston, three tacos and a five-hour sleep later and we're good to go.

You get the feeling Boston doesn't know what's about to hit it...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan - Hi Phil, we've seen some great hairstyles at the World Cup over the years. Who will all the kids be copying over the summer?

Hello Ryan. You’re asking the wrong person here as I once got into the barber’s chair when a Bob Dylan song was on the radio and I was out with the floor fully swept before it was finished. It was one of his longer efforts, admittedly.

Bring back the Carlos Valderrama I say. The kids would love it.

There will be 54 live games shown on BBC One or Two - all of them available on BBC iPlayer- and the BBC Sport website and app - with 92 games on BBC Sounds and every single match covered on the BBC Sport website and app.

The 54 include Scotland's group games against Haiti and Brazil - and England's match with Ghana.

The Three Lions' games in the last 32, last 16 and semi-final - if they get that far - will all be on the BBC. The final, as usual, will be shown on both the BBC and ITV.

Get the full breakdown here

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

James - Hi Phil. Do you think everyone is overestimating the toughness of England's group? An ageing Croatia, Ghana ranked in the 80's and a poor Panama side?

Hi, James. I would be very, very surprised if England did not top that group, but history tells us they should never under-estimate Croatia, no matter what the age and quality of their squad.

Croatia is a very proud nation that somehow usually finds a way at World Cups, reaching the final in 2018 then the semi-finals four years later in Qatar.They may not be the force they were, but Luka Modric is still there at 40 and there is quality and experience elsewhere in the likes of Manchester City duo Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.

Never take Croatia lightly.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Ben - Hi Phil, Who is your best shout for dark horse of the tournament? I am going for Japan and Senegal to spring a few surprises.

Not saying they are potential winners, but any side with boasting Erling Haaland – as well as Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard - will always pose a threat so let’s say Norway.

They were outstanding in qualifying, one of only two European teams, along with England, to win every match.

Giant Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth is also a threat.

A team to watch.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Mark - Phil. Do you think it was wrong to leave Morgan Gibbs-White out? As he has more total goals and assists than all in the team apart from the strikers and was in top form playing for a team at the bottom of the Premier League as well.

Afternoon, Mark. Once Thomas Tuchel decided to leave out both Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, I would have been very tempted to go with Morgan Gibbs-White, who ended the season in superb form for Nottingham Forest.

I have a worry England’s midfield is a little one-dimensional but Tuchel clearly feels he has those bases covered, with Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, although Gibbs-White is also effective from out wide.

Very, very unlucky.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Simon - Phil, which African team do you think will fare the best? Morocco again?

Hello, Simon. I would go for Morocco, yes. Tough group with Brazil and Scotland – if the Scots can get it right - but very talented, will have taken so much from reaching the World Cup semi-final in Qatar four years ago and their Fifa ranking of seventh shows you they are a fine side.

Image source, Getty Images

To get you in the World Cup spirit, here are some Guinness World Records from the last five World Cups. (source Guinness World Records)

Qatar 2022: Messi plays most World Cup matches

Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Player of the Match award in all four of their knockout games on their way to lifting the trophy in Qatar.

Alongside his winner’s medal, Messi added the Guinness World Record for the most World Cup matches played - 26.

Russia 2018: El Hadary becomes oldest player

Goalkeeper Essam El Hadary started Egypt’s final group-stage match against Saudi Arabia at the age of 45 years 161 days to become the oldest player at a World Cup.

Brazil 2014: Klose breaks goals record

Germany claimed the World Cup for the fourth time, defeating Argentina 1–0 with an extra-time goal by Mario Götze and hammered hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final.

Striker Miroslav Klose netted to claim the record for the most World Cup goals, with 16.

Image source, Getty Images

South Africa 2010: Oldest coach

The World Cup was held on African soil for the first time, with the vuvuzela horn providing a distinctive soundtrack in the stands.

No, this World Cup did not break the record for most vuvuzelas a single football match.

During Greece’s final group game against Argentina on 22 June, manager Otto Rehhagel became the oldest coach at the World Cup, aged 71 years 317 years.

Germany 2006: Most red cards

A total of 28 players were given their marching orders in 64 matches – the most red cards at a World Cup tournament.

Four came in one game alone in the so-called “Battle of Nuremburg”, between Portugal and the Netherlands.

The most high-profile dismissal came in the final, when France’s Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt on Italy’s Marco Materazzi.

Click here, external to find out the Guinness World Records set at all 22 World Cups.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Mick - Hi Phil. Are you still sticking with Spain to win it or has Thomas Tuchel done enough to change your mind?

Afternoon, Mick. England are definitely serious contenders but the closer we get to the World Cup, the more I have looked at France’s quality and think they will take some beating.

Spain, however, are one of the sides capable of doing just that.