Scotland World Cup 2026 Squad — All 26 Players Named by Steve Clarke

Twenty-eight years. Scotland are back at the World Cup.

Scotland last played at a World Cup in 1998 in France. There is an entire generation of Scottish football fans — now in their late twenties — who have never seen their national team at a World Cup. That changes this summer. Twenty-eight years is a long time. Long enough to make this feel genuinely historic. Whatever happens in Group B, the qualification alone represents something meaningful for Scottish football.

Steve Clarke — the manager who made history

Steve Clarke has done something remarkable. Scotland qualified ahead of Poland in what was a genuinely competitive group. He has built a team that is organised, hard to beat and capable of producing results against better opposition. He was nearly sacked at one point. He has had to deal with the national press, the expectations and the weight of a nation that was beginning to believe it would never qualify again. He deserves enormous credit for what he has achieved.

Andy Robertson — the heartbeat of this squad

Andy Robertson is 31 and plays left back for Liverpool. He is one of the best players in the Premier League in his position and has been for years. For Scotland he is more than a left back — he is the captain, the leader, the player who sets the standard in training and in games. Scotland without Robertson would be a significantly weaker team. Scotland with Robertson operating at his best is a team that can be competitive against almost anyone. His form and fitness going into this tournament is the most important variable of all.

Scott McTominay — arriving in the form of his life

Scott McTominay left Manchester United and joined Napoli. Since making that move he has been transformed. He is playing with more freedom, more confidence and producing far better performances than he ever did at Old Trafford. He arrives at this World Cup as one of Scotland's most important midfielders and in the best form of his career. If Scotland are going to spring any surprises in Group B, McTominay's ability to box-to-box and score from range will be central to how they do it.

Group B — Brazil, Croatia and Nigeria. The hardest draw possible.

Scotland could not have drawn a harder group. Brazil are five-time world champions arriving with Vinicius Junior and Neymar. Croatia are tournament veterans who reached the final in 2018. Nigeria are a dangerous African side. Getting out of this group would take a miracle and Scottish fans know it. But they will travel in their tens of thousands regardless. The tartan army turning up to support a Scotland World Cup squad in 2026 is itself a moment worth celebrating, whatever the results on the pitch.

Who is in Scotland's World Cup 2026 squad?

Steve Clarke named a 26-man Scotland squad for World Cup 2026. Andy Robertson captains the side. Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour anchor the midfield. John McGinn and Callum McGregor provide experience. Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland lead the attack. Ben Doak is the young wildcard at 20.

When did Scotland last qualify for the World Cup?

Scotland last qualified for the World Cup in 1998. The tournament in France was their last appearance. This 2026 tournament is their first World Cup in 28 years — the longest gap any home nation has experienced.

Who is Scotland's captain at World Cup 2026?

Andy Robertson is Scotland's captain at World Cup 2026. The Liverpool left back is 31 years old and Scotland's most important player by some distance.

What group are Scotland in at World Cup 2026?

Scotland are in Group B with Brazil, Croatia and Nigeria. It is one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Scottish fans will enjoy every moment regardless of the results — just being there after 28 years is an achievement in itself.

Is Billy Gilmour in Scotland's World Cup 2026 squad?

Yes. Billy Gilmour is in the squad at 23. He plays for Napoli and is one of Scotland's most technically accomplished players. He and Scott McTominay form the central spine of Clarke's midfield.