Scotland at World Cup 2026: Squad, Group, Fixtures

Scotland are back at the World Cup. After a 28-year absence, the Tartan Army are heading to North America, with Steve Clarke having guided the side to a third major tournament in a row.

A return to the finals, a squad blending seasoned internationals with emerging talent, and a Group C draw that pits them against Brazil, Morocco and Haiti: it's a campaign a generation in the making. Here's everything you need on Scotland's tournament, drawn together in one place.

Scotland's squad

Steve Clarke has named his 26-man squad for Scotland's first World Cup since 1998, with the group basing themselves in Charlotte, North Carolina for the tournament, after a pre-tournament camp in Fort Lauderdale.

The selection was shaped by a late blow, with midfielder Billy Gilmour ruled out through injury and replaced by Manchester United teenager Tyler Fletcher. There were notable calls elsewhere too, with Ross Stewart recalled after four years away and 19-year-old Findlay Curtis among the uncapped talents handed a place.

There's real experience at the heart of it. Andy Robertson captains the side and is its most experienced member, with 94 caps leaving him within touching distance of Kenny Dalglish's all-time Scotland record. He's closely followed by Aston Villa skipper John McGinn on 86, while veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, at 43, is in line to become one of the oldest players ever to appear at a World Cup. Scott McTominay, the reigning Serie A Player of the Year, and Kieran Tierney add further know-how to the side.

Clarke has balanced that with youth. Teenager Findlay Curtis and winger Ben Gannon-Doak are among the emerging talents heading to North America, alongside Tyler Fletcher, son of former Scotland captain Darren.

In goal, Gordon's experience is backed up by Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly.

In defence, Robertson and Tierney offer attacking threat from the flanks, with Hanley, Hendry, Souttar and McKenna among the central options and Patterson, Hickey and Ralston providing full-back cover.

In midfield, McGinn and McTominay bring energy and goals, the latter having scored a memorable bicycle kick in the win over Denmark that helped seal qualification. They're supported by the experience of Christie and McLean, and the youthful spark of Curtis and Gannon-Doak. It was McLean's strike from the halfway line that clinched Scotland's place at the finals.

In attack, Clarke has a range of options, with Ché Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland, George Hirst and Ross Stewart competing to lead the line.

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (AFC Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (AFC Bournemouth), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli)

Forwards: Ché Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich Town), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton)

With the squad settled, the focus turns to whether Scotland can take the step that has eluded them before, out of the group and into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

Scotland's group: Group C

Scotland have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. There's an echo of the past here: Scotland were drawn with both Brazil and Morocco at the 1998 finals too, losing 2-1 to Brazil and 3-0 to Morocco. It's a varied group, and a demanding one.

Brazil are the standout name, five-time world champions and the side Scotland faced in that 1998 opener. Morocco arrive with real quality of their own, having reached the semi-finals four years ago. Haiti, making their way back to the global stage, are the group's outsiders, but Scotland will know that nothing at a World Cup comes easy.

Get out of the group as winners and the knockout draw looks one way; finish as runners-up and the path lines up differently. For the full fixture list, dates and kick-off times, see our World Cup 2026 schedule.

Scotland's three group games:

• Haiti vs. Scotland

• Scotland vs. Morocco

• Scotland vs. Brazil

Scotland's route to the final

Scotland have never gone beyond the group stage at a World Cup, so reaching the knockouts would be new ground in itself. Where the path leads depends where they finish in Group C, as well as results in other groups, but here's how - with the new Round of 32 - their path to the final might look.

If Scotland win Group C

Scotland would begin in the Round of 32 in Houston, against the Group F runners-up. The Round of 16 would then take them to New York New Jersey Stadium, to face the winners of a tie between the Group E runners-up and the Group I runners-up.

The quarter-finals would follow in Miami, before a semi-final in Atlanta against a side from the other part of that half of the draw, and then the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, against a team from the opposite half.

If Scotland finish second in Group C

The runners-up path looks a little different. Scotland would open in the Round of 32 in Monterrey against the Group F winners, then head to Houston in the Round of 16 to face an opponent from the Group A and Group B section of the draw.

The quarter-finals in Boston would follow, before a semi-final in Dallas against a side from the other part of that half, and a place in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, again against a team from the opposite half.

Whichever way the draw breaks, the knockout rounds would take Scotland into territory the nation has never reached at a World Cup. Getting out of the group is the first task; everything beyond it would be a step into the unknown.

Get into the action

Scotland's first World Cup in 28 years is almost here and we're excited. Check out the latest World Cup markets at Bally Bet and see how we do things.

Fancy more World Cup content like this? Make your way to the Bally Bet blog and find the latest sports coverage, from bet explainers to event previews, all in one place.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.