Andy Robertson
The leader. Scotland's captain and most-capped outfield man, the Liverpool left-back brings Champions League pedigree, relentless energy down the flank and the experience to steady a young group on the biggest stage.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Scotland at the 2026 World Cup
The Tartan Army are back. Scotland have reached a World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending a 28-year wait that defined a generation of near-misses. Under Steve Clarke, they topped a qualifying group for the first time in 44 years, sealing it with a delirious final-night win over Denmark at Hampden Park. Captain Andy Robertson leads a side with real Premier League and Serie A pedigree: Scott McTominay, fresh from winning the Scudetto with Napoli, John McGinn, Lewis Ferguson and a forward line led by Che Adams. Drawn into Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, this is the squad, the qualifying story, the fixtures, and the hunt for a first World Cup knockout appearance.
C
Group
1998
Last Finals
9th
World Cup
26
Squad
Back after 28 years. Steve Clarke's Scotland topped their European qualifying group for the first time in 44 years, clinching a place at the finals with a dramatic last-night win over Denmark at Hampden. Captained by Andy Robertson and powered by Napoli's Scott McTominay, Scotland open against Haiti at Gillette Stadium near Boston on 13 June before facing Morocco at the same venue and Brazil in Miami.
The Key Players
The spine of Clarke's Scotland
Scotland are built on a hard-running, well-drilled core that punched above its weight to qualify. These are the names the campaign turns on.
Scott McTominay
The match-winner. A Serie A champion with Napoli and Scotland's leading goal threat from midfield, McTominay arrives late into the box like few others. He is the player most likely to decide a tight knockout tie.
John McGinn
The heartbeat. The Aston Villa midfielder is all drive and bravery, carrying the ball through midfield and chipping in with crucial goals. One of the most experienced players in the squad and a fan favourite.
Lewis Ferguson
The passer. Bologna's captain brings composure and range from deep, the technical glue between Scotland's runners. His club form in Serie A makes him central to how Clarke wants to control games.
Ben Doak
The x-factor. A direct, fearless young winger who runs at full-backs, Doak gives Scotland a different gear in attack and the kind of one-on-one threat that can unlock deep defences.
Steve Clarke
The deliverer. After two European Championships, Clarke finally took Scotland to a World Cup, building a resilient, organised team greater than the sum of its parts and ending a 28-year drought.
The Squad
Scotland's 26-man squad by position
Steve Clarke named a squad blending Premier League and continental experience with a handful of rising talents. Billy Gilmour was a late, painful loss to a knee injury in the warm-up friendly against Curacao, with Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher called in to replace him. Below is the full squad by position; club listings can shift over the summer window.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Angus GunnNottingham Forest
- Craig GordonHearts
- Liam KellyRangers
Defenders
10 in the squad
- Andy RobertsonCaptain
- Kieran TierneyCeltic
- Aaron HickeyBrentford
- Nathan PattersonEverton
- Anthony RalstonCeltic
- Scott McKennaDinamo Zagreb
- Jack HendryAl-Ettifaq
- John SouttarRangers
- Dom HyamWrexham
- Grant HanleyHibernian
Midfielders
7 in the squad
- Scott McTominayNapoli
- John McGinnAston Villa
- Lewis FergusonBologna
- Ryan ChristieBournemouth
- Kenny McLeanNorwich City
- Tyler FletcherManchester United
- Findlay CurtisRangers
Forwards
6 in the squad
- Che AdamsTorino
- Lyndon DykesBirmingham City
- Ross StewartSouthampton
- Lawrence ShanklandHearts
- George HirstIpswich Town
- Ben DoakBournemouth
Clarke's group leans on a settled core that featured throughout qualifying. The midfield, led by McTominay, McGinn and Ferguson, is the strength; the questions are at full-back, where Robertson and a recovered Kieran Tierney must stay fit, and up front, where Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes share the load. Veteran Craig Gordon, at 43, is the elder statesman, while teenagers Tyler Fletcher and Findlay Curtis point to the future. Club listings can change over the summer window.
The Calls
The story behind the squad
Three threads define Scotland's 2026 campaign: the end of a long wait, the night it was sealed, and the history they are chasing.
28 Years Away
The drought ends. Scotland had not reached a World Cup since France 1998, despite reaching two European Championships in between. For the Tartan Army, the wait is finally over.
Hampden vs Denmark
The statement. Scotland topped their group for the first time in 44 years, beating Denmark on a frenzied final night at Hampden Park to qualify automatically rather than face the lottery of a play-off.
The First Last 16
The holy grail. In eight previous World Cups Scotland have never escaped the group stage. The expanded 2026 format, with 32 teams in the knockouts, offers the best chance yet to make history.
Group C
The group and the fixtures
Scotland were drawn into Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, a pairing with a sharp sense of history: at France 1998 Scotland were also grouped with Brazil and Morocco and lost to both. Brazil are the seeds and clear favourites, so Scotland's realistic battle for a knockout place is with Morocco and Haiti. Two of the three games are at Gillette Stadium near Boston, with the finale against Brazil in Miami.
Haiti vs Scotland
Sat 13 Jun 2026
Scotland vs Morocco
Fri 19 Jun 2026
Scotland vs Brazil
Wed 24 Jun 2026
A strong start against Haiti is essential, before a pivotal meeting with Morocco that may decide who joins the seeds in the knockouts, and a final-day date with Brazil. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our guides to Group C rivals Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
The Ceiling
How far can Scotland go?
Scotland are outsiders to top the group, but the expanded format and their qualifying form give genuine grounds for hope:
- A goal threat from midfield. Scott McTominay's late runs and finishing make Scotland dangerous from areas opponents struggle to track, and he can win games on his own.
- Real experience. Robertson, McGinn, Ferguson and Christie have all played at the highest club level, and the spine has been together for years.
- Organisation and spirit. Clarke's teams are hard to beat, well-drilled and ferociously committed, exactly the profile that can frustrate better sides.
- The format helps. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, a couple of positive results could be enough to reach the new round of 32.
- The question. Goals have at times been hard to come by, and Scotland will need Adams, Dykes and Doak to take their chances against Morocco and Haiti.
Brazil are favourites to win the group, but the games against Haiti and Morocco are the ones that matter. Win those battles and Scotland could finally, after eight attempts, reach a World Cup knockout round for the first time in their history.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Who is Scotland's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Steve Clarke is Scotland's head coach. After taking the team to back-to-back European Championships, he delivered the country's first World Cup qualification since 1998, ending a 28-year wait for a place at the finals.
When did Scotland last play at a World Cup?
Scotland last appeared at a World Cup in 1998 in France. The 2026 tournament ends a 28-year absence and is Scotland's ninth World Cup finals overall.
Who is Scotland's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Andy Robertson captains Scotland. The Liverpool left-back is the most experienced player in the squad with more than 90 caps and leads a side built on the spine of Scott McTominay and John McGinn.
What group are Scotland in at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland are in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. Brazil are the seeds and clear favourites, so Scotland are expected to compete with Morocco and Haiti for the places behind them.
What are Scotland's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland open against Haiti on 13 June at Gillette Stadium near Boston, then face Morocco on 19 June at the same venue, and finish against Brazil on 24 June at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
How did Scotland qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland topped their European qualifying group for the first time in 44 years, sealing automatic qualification with a dramatic final-night win over Denmark at Hampden Park in front of a sold-out home crowd.
Is Billy Gilmour in Scotland's 2026 World Cup squad?
No. Billy Gilmour suffered a knee injury in a pre-tournament friendly against Curacao on 30 May 2026 and was ruled out. Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher was called up as his replacement.
Who are Scotland's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Andy Robertson and Napoli's Scott McTominay are the headline names, with John McGinn and Bologna's Lewis Ferguson driving the midfield. Up front Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes lead the line, and young winger Ben Doak adds pace.
Have Scotland ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
No. Across eight previous World Cup appearances Scotland have never progressed beyond the group stage, the longest such run of any nation. Reaching the new round of 32 in 2026 would be a historic first.
Have Scotland faced Brazil and Morocco at a World Cup before?
Yes. At France 1998 Scotland were drawn with Brazil and Morocco, losing the opening game to Brazil and falling to Morocco in the final group match. The 2026 draw pairs them with both nations again, this time alongside Haiti.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Scotland are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Brazil Squad
Scotland's Group C seeds and the favourites, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
Read the Brazil guide ›Morocco Squad
Scotland's likely rivals for a knockout place, the 2022 semi-finalists and Africa's flagbearers.
Read the Morocco guide ›Haiti Squad
Scotland's opening opponents, back at a World Cup for a rare and emotional return.
Read the Haiti guide ›England Squad
The Auld Enemy and their confirmed 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in Group L.
Read the England guide ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Scotland's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
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