Scotland's 2026 World Cup Squad: The Full Guide to Clarke's 26

Twenty-eight years. That is how long Scotland have been waiting for this. Their last World Cup was France 1998, when Craig Burley's goal against Morocco was followed by defeat to Brazil and an early flight home. A generation of Tartan Army supporters has grown up never having watched their country at the biggest tournament in the world. That changes on 14 June 2026 in Boston, when Scotland face Haiti in their first World Cup group game since the summer Diana died.

This is the squad that got them there. Here is everything you need to know about Steve Clarke's 26 players, the group they face and why Scotland have genuine reasons to believe.

How Scotland Got There: The Qualification Story

Scotland's path to the 2026 World Cup was not comfortable but it was dramatic in the best possible way. They qualified in their final group game, beating Denmark 4-2 in a match that produced two of the most celebrated Scotland goals in recent memory. Scott McTominay produced a stunning bicycle kick that sent Hampden Park into delirium. Kenny McLean then scored from the halfway line to seal it. Two late goals. Three points. A World Cup place. The Tartan Army went home singing.

It was the kind of qualification moment that Scotland supporters will describe to their children for the rest of their lives. And it serves as a reminder of what this squad is capable of when the biggest moments arrive.

The Group Stage Draw: Group C

Scotland are in Group C alongside five-time world champions Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and minnows Haiti. It is not the draw anyone would have chosen. It is also not impossible.

• Scotland v Haiti — Saturday 14 June, Gillette Stadium, Boston (2am BST kick-off)
• Scotland v Morocco — Thursday 19 June, Gillette Stadium, Boston (11pm BST kick-off)
• Scotland v Brazil — Tuesday 24 June, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (11pm BST kick-off)

The route through the group is clear. Win against Haiti, take something from Morocco and Scotland could go into the Brazil game already knowing whether they have qualified. Clarke himself responded to the draw simply: "Bring it on."

Scotland have history with this group too. At France 1998, they were drawn with Brazil and Morocco. They lost both. Twenty-eight years later, the chance to rewrite that story presents itself.

The Full Scotland 2026 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Craig Gordon (Hearts) — At 43 years old, Craig Gordon would become the second oldest player ever to appear at a World Cup, behind only Egypt's Essam El Hadary at the 2018 tournament. He has recovered from a shoulder injury and was included after proving his fitness. Hearts conceded just 34 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season — seven fewer than champions Celtic — and Gordon was central to that. A remarkable story and an enormously experienced presence for Clarke's squad.

Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest) — The capable backup who may have expected to be starting by now but who brings quality and experience as the most likely deputy.

Liam Kelly (Rangers) — Third goalkeeper option providing depth behind two experienced hands.

Defenders

Andy Robertson (Liverpool) — The captain. Scotland's most experienced player with 92 caps. Robertson is the leader of this squad on and off the pitch and one of the best left-backs in world football. His experience with Liverpool across Champions Leagues and Premier League title challenges gives him a tournament pedigree that nobody else in Clarke's group can match. Scotland's chances of producing a positive result against Brazil or Morocco will depend enormously on his leadership and his quality in the defensive and attacking phases.

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) — Another left-back option that gives Scotland real quality on their left side. Tierney's return to his homeland has reinvigorated his career and he goes into this tournament in good physical condition after a difficult few years with injuries at Arsenal.

Aaron Hickey (Brentford) — One of Scotland's most reliable performers at right-back and a player whose Premier League experience gives Clarke a technically accomplished option on that flank. One of the automatic starters in the predicted starting eleven.

Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb) — Central defensive backbone of the Scotland side for several years and a guaranteed starter alongside Jack Hendry. Composed and experienced at international level.

Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq) — Clarke's other preferred centre-back option. Has continued to develop since leaving European football for the Middle East and brings a physical presence and reading of the game that suits how Scotland want to defend.

Grant Hanley (Hibernian) — The experienced Hibernian captain provides additional central defensive cover for Clarke's squad.

John Souttar (Rangers) — Defensive depth and a player who has contributed significantly to Scotland's qualification campaign.

Nathan Patterson (Everton) — Additional right-back cover giving Clarke options at full-back.

Anthony Ralston (Celtic) — The Celtic right-back provides further options in a well-stocked defensive unit.

Dom Hyam (Wrexham) — An unexpected inclusion but one Clarke has backed, with Hyam's consistent performances at Wrexham earning him an international opportunity.

Midfielders

Scott McTominay (Napoli) — The man who scored the bicycle kick that sent Scotland to the World Cup. McTominay has been a man reborn since leaving Manchester United to join Napoli in 2025, winning the Serie A Player of the Year award in his first season. His ability to arrive late into the area and score from midfield, his physical presence and his leadership make him the most important player in Clarke's squad and the one around whom everything in Scotland's attacking game is built. If Scotland are going to do something at this tournament, McTominay will be the reason.

John McGinn (Aston Villa) — Scotland's second most capped outfield player with 85 appearances and 20 international goals. McGinn has been one of the most consistent performers for Clarke over many years and his energy, his ability to get forward from midfield and his experience in big European matches with Aston Villa make him an invaluable presence. Clarke described him as one of those "you always know what you are going to get." At a World Cup, that consistency is worth as much as flair.

Billy Gilmour (Napoli) — McTominay's Napoli teammate and Scotland's most technically gifted central midfielder. Gilmour's ability to receive the ball under pressure and play through it gives Scotland a composure in the middle of the pitch that allows them to build from the back against teams who press aggressively. His development at Napoli under Antonio Conte has been significant and he goes into this World Cup as one of the most technically accomplished players in Clarke's squad.

Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) — One of Scottish football's most consistent performers in Serie A. Ferguson brings athleticism, an eye for goal from midfield and a physical presence that gives Clarke a different option in how he shapes the team.

Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) — An experienced option who can operate across the midfield and wide positions and who brings intelligent movement and an ability to contribute in the final third.

Kenny McLean (Norwich City) — The man who scored from the halfway line to seal Scotland's World Cup qualification. He is a captain at Norwich, a consistent performer and a player who has shown in the biggest moments for Scotland that he has the nerve and the quality to deliver.

Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth) — One of the more exciting younger options in Clarke's midfield and one who gives Scotland pace and directness from wide positions.

Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock) — The nineteen-year-old late bolter who earned his first cap against Japan in March and has forced his way in on the back of impressive performances on loan at Kilmarnock. Clarke described him as having "something a little bit different" — and that creative unpredictability could be exactly what Scotland need off the bench when games are tight.

Forwards

Ché Adams (Torino) — One of Scotland's primary attacking options and a player who brings intelligent movement and the ability to hold the ball up in tight areas. Adams has been central to Clarke's plans for several years and his goal return for Scotland makes him one of the more reliable strikers to have played for the national side in recent memory.

Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic) — A powerful physical presence up front who gives Scotland a focal point that can unsettle defences from set pieces and from direct play. Likely to be in the predicted starting eleven as the lead striker.

Lawrence Shankland (Hearts) — The Hearts captain and one of Scottish football's most prolific domestic scorers in recent seasons. Shankland's form for his club has been outstanding and he earns a first World Cup opportunity off the back of it.

Ross Stewart (Southampton) — A recall for Stewart, who last played for Scotland in 2022 and has worked his way back into international consideration on the strength of impressive form for the Saints. His physical presence and aerial ability give Clarke a different option to Dykes in how he constructs the attack.

George Hirst (Ipswich Town) — Additional forward depth in a squad that has genuine options in attack and a player who provides Clarke with different physical and technical attributes to the other strikers in the group.

Scotland's Predicted Starting XI

When everyone is fit and on form, Clarke's most likely starting eleven looks something like this: Gordon; Hickey, Hendry, McKenna, Robertson; Ferguson, Christie, McTominay; Gannon-Doak, McGinn; Dykes.

It is a team built on defensive organisation, with McTominay providing the late arriving goal threat from midfield and Robertson giving them width and quality going forward on the left. McGinn is the creative link and Christie and Ferguson provide the engine room in the centre. The key question is who fills the right-wing position — Gannon-Doak, Curtis and others are all candidates.

Can Scotland Get Out of the Group?

Honestly? Yes. It will not be straightforward and it will require their best performances. But here is the realistic path.

Beat Haiti. Haiti are a minnow of world football, appearing in just their second World Cup. Scotland should win this game. They need to win this game. A professional, controlled victory sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Take something from Morocco. Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and remain one of Africa's finest sides. But Scotland at their best, with Robertson and McTominay and McGinn performing, can compete with Morocco. A draw would be enormous. Even a narrow defeat, depending on other results, could still leave them in a position to qualify.

The Brazil game. If Scotland go into the final group game knowing they need something — and that is entirely possible — then they face Brazil in Miami. Against a Brazil team managed by Carlo Ancelotti with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Endrick in attack, Scotland would be significant underdogs. But upsets happen and Scotland have earned their place at the table.

The Tartan Army have not watched their team play World Cup football in twenty-eight years. They have earned this summer and they will follow their team across North America with the passion and the noise that has made them one of the most celebrated supporter cultures in world football. Whatever happens in Group C, the 2026 World Cup belongs to Scotland as much as it belongs to anyone.

Wear the Tartan Army this summer. Shop the McTominay Scotland hoodie and the Scotland Cow hoodie at Players Couture — fan apparel made for the supporters who have waited twenty-eight years for this moment. Explore the full football fanwear collection and find your Scotland piece for the summer.