Scotland's 2026 World Cup Squad: Who Makes the Cut?

For the first time in decades, Scotland are heading to a World Cup, and the Tartan Army is buzzing. Steve Clarke's side secured their spot in North America with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park, topping a group that also included Greece and Belarus. The squad is brimming with optimism, but the real question is: who will be on the plane this summer?

Scotland have been drawn into Group C, where they face Brazil—a team they've never beaten—alongside Morocco and Haiti. It's a tough ask, but after years of development, the squad has the depth to aim for the knockout stages, something they failed to achieve at Euro 2020 or Euro 2024.

Goalkeeping Options

Craig Gordon, despite being 42 and having made his Scotland debut 22 years ago, remains the frontrunner for the No. 1 jersey. However, a shoulder complaint kept him out of the March squad, giving others a chance to stake their claim. Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Scott Bain (Falkirk), and Liam Kelly (Rangers) are all in contention. If Gordon makes the final squad, he'll become one of the oldest players in men's World Cup history, but his recent performances leave no doubt about his reliability.

Defensive Core

Scotland's backline has been playing together for years, which should help with organisation against Brazil and Morocco. Captain Andy Robertson is still getting regular minutes at Liverpool, while Kieran Tierney has rediscovered his form at Celtic after a tough spell at Arsenal. Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna are expected to anchor central defence, with Aaron Hickey offering pace and drive from right-back. Other likely inclusions are Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry, and Anthony Ralston.

Midfield Depth

Scotland's midfield has been boosted by several players moving to Italy's Serie A. Scott McTominay is enjoying his peak years at Napoli alongside Billy Gilmour, who joined him in the summer of 2024. Bologna's Lewis Ferguson and Udinese's Lennon Miller could also make the cut. John McGinn remains a vital cog, consistently delivering for his country and eager to score his first goal at a major tournament. Ryan Christie brings Premier League industry from Bournemouth, while Kenny McLean adds experience at 34.

Attacking Concerns

Like many World Cup nations, Scotland lack a prolific striker. Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams are the main options up front, but neither has been consistently clinical. Tommy Conway, George Hirst, and Findlay Curtis were in the March squad but have just one international goal between them. Lawrence Shankland has had a tremendous season for Hearts and could start, while Ben Gannon-Doak's extreme pace might be a game-changer if he proves his fitness.

Star Players and Predicted XI

McTominay is the obvious star, having elevated his game at Napoli after showing goalscoring potential at Manchester United. McGinn adds another threat from midfield. Robertson and Tierney will need to be switched on defensively, especially against Brazil and Morocco. Clarke has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation recently, moving away from the back three that served Scotland well in the past. This system allows McGinn and McTominay more freedom to push forward while maintaining discipline.

Predicted Scotland starting XI (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Hickey, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; Ferguson, McGinn; Christie, McTominay, Gannon-Doak; Dykes.