Squad, Steve Clarke & Group C
Scotland World Cup 2026 guide: Steve Clarke’s squad, captain Andy Robertson, Scott McTominay, key players, tactics and Group C predictions for the Tartan Army.
Scotland
The Tartan Army · UEFA · Group C
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- The Tartan Army The national side; supporters share the name
- Confederation
- UEFA (Europe)
- FIFA Ranking
- 43rd 43rd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, last official update 1 April 2026.
- Head Coach
- Steve Clarke
- Captain
- Andy Robertson
- World Cup Appearances
- 9th
- Best Finish
- Group stage Never advanced past the first round
- Group
- Group C Brazil, Morocco, Haiti
One of football’s most storied nations, ending a 28-year absence.
Scotland are one of football’s most storied and passionate nations, and 2026 marks an emotional milestone: their first World Cup appearance since France 1998 — a 28-year absence finally ended under manager Steve Clarke. The “Tartan Army,” among the most loyal and colourful fanbases in world sport, will descend on North America in their thousands.
After years of near-misses, Clarke has built a resilient, well-organised side blending Premier League and Serie A quality with the spine of experienced internationals. This is arguably the strongest Scotland squad in a generation, and the relief and joy of qualification has reignited the nation’s footballing identity.
This is arguably the strongest Scotland squad in a generation.
There is a poignant symmetry to Group C.
There is a poignant symmetry to Group C: Scotland faced Brazil and Morocco in the same group 28 years ago at France 1998, losing to both. Now they return to meet the very same opponents, a chance at redemption baked into the draw. Clarke’s selection mixed dependable mainstays — Robertson, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Kieran Tierney — with bolder calls, including Ross Stewart, Findlay Curtis and Tyler Fletcher. It is continuity with a dash of fresh energy.
The bar, and the dream
History weighs heavy: Scotland have never progressed beyond the World Cup group stage in eight previous attempts, often agonisingly.
The realistic target
The expanded 48-team format offers a real lifeline — finishing among the best third-placed teams could be enough to advance. Realistically, the target is to finally break the group-stage curse. Beating Haiti is likely seen as essential, with results against Morocco and Brazil shaping their fate.
Clarke’s 26-man squad
Based on Scotland’s final 26-man World Cup squad. Starters are projected and subject to change.
Goalkeepers
3- Craig Gordon
- Angus Gunn
- Liam Kelly
Defenders
10- 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
8- Ryan Christie Bournemouth
- Findlay Curtis Kilmarnock
- Lewis Ferguson Bologna
- Tyler Fletcher
- Ben Gannon-Doak Bournemouth
- John McGinn Aston Villa
- Kenny McLean Norwich
- Scott McTominay Napoli
Forwards
5- Che Adams Torino
- Lyndon Dykes Charlton
- George Hirst Ipswich
- Lawrence Shankland
- Ross Stewart Southampton
★ Likely starters. A third goalkeeper was named in the squad but not individually listed in source — verify the official sheet.
The names that decide it
Scotland’s talisman and goal threat from midfield; a Serie A title-winner and recently lauded as one of the league’s standout performers. Fact: a reported 2024-25 Serie A Player of the Year.
The squad’s most-capped member (around 90+ caps), a serial winner at club level and the inspirational on-field leader.
Billy Gilmour was ruled out of the World Cup squad by injury and should be moved to an injury/absence note, not listed as a key player.”
Energetic, goal-getting box-to-box presence and one of Scotland’s most reliable performers.
Versatile, combative defender who returned to Celtic; brings tournament-level pedigree.
A mobile, hard-working striker leading the line.
A composed Serie A midfielder adding depth and quality to a strong central unit.
Breakout Player
Findlay Curtis — The teenager’s inclusion is one of the squad’s most exciting calls; a tournament cameo on the world stage could fast-track a promising young Scottish talent into the national consciousness. Ben Gannon-Doak is another bright young option to watch.
Most Underrated Player
Lewis Ferguson — Lewis Ferguson. A composed Bologna midfielder, Ferguson gives Scotland high-level Serie A experience and valuable depth in central areas.
Organisation, work rate and collective spirit over individual flair.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland are pragmatic and well-drilled, frequently deploying a back three / wing-back system that maximises Robertson’s and the full-backs’ attacking thrust while staying compact defensively. The midfield engine of McTominay, McGinn, Ferguson, Christie and McLean gives Scotland energy, control and late runs into the box. Set-pieces are a notable weapon, and the team thrives on organisation, work rate and collective spirit rather than individual flair.
By the numbers
Attack: Goals from midfield (McTominay) more than from a prolific striker.
Midfield:A genuine strength, led by Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson, though Billy Gilmour’s injury absence is a major blow.
Defense: Organised and experienced, led by Robertson and Tierney.Goalkeeping: Solid and experienced, if not elite.Depth: Improved, with credible options across the pitch.Experience: Seasoned core in Robertson, McGinn, Gordon and others.
Eight attempts, the group stage every time — but a great story nonetheless.
Scotland have appeared at eight previous World Cups (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998) and hold the unwanted record of being one of football’s grand names never to clear the first round. Near-misses define the story: unbeaten but eliminated in 1974, and famous moments like Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal against the Netherlands in 1978. The 28-year wait since 1998 makes 2026 a long-awaited return — and a chance to rewrite the narrative.
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1954
World Cup debut
Scotland make their first World Cup appearance — the beginning of a proud but ultimately frustrated tournament history.
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1974
Unbeaten but eliminated
One of the great near-misses: Scotland went unbeaten but were eliminated on goal difference.
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1978
Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal
Archie Gemmill’s iconic goal against the Netherlands is among the World Cup’s most celebrated — though Scotland still went out.
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1998
Last appearance before 2026
Scotland’s most recent World Cup before the 28-year wait — they faced Brazil and Morocco in the same group and lost both.
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2026
The return — a chance to rewrite history
Back at the World Cup for the ninth time, and their best squad in a generation determined to finally escape the group stage.
28 years, Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal, and the world’s best-behaved fans
28 years between World Cups
2026 is Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998 — a 28-year gap.
Never past the group stage
Scotland have never advanced beyond the World Cup group stage in eight prior attempts.
Same group as 1998
They were drawn with Brazil and Morocco in the same group back in 1998, too.
Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal
Archie Gemmill’s 1978 goal vs the Netherlands is among the World Cup’s most celebrated.
Robertson — the squad’s most-capped player
Captain Andy Robertson is the squad’s most-capped player.
McTominay and Gilmour — Napoli teammates
Both Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour play their club football at Napoli.
Craig Gordon — still going
Veteran keeper Craig Gordon’s longevity earned him a place in the squad.
The Tartan Army — among the world’s best fans
The Tartan Army are routinely voted among the world’s best-behaved, most beloved fans.
The Tartan Army — colour, songs and good humour wherever they go.
- The Tartan Army — colour, songs and good humour wherever they go.
- A 28-year wait ending makes every Scotland match emotionally charged.
- McTominay’s goals from midfield are genuinely exciting.
- The redemption angle of facing Brazil and Morocco again, 28 years on.
- A classic, organised underdog with the spirit to spring a surprise.
Battling for second or best third — cautious optimism the group-stage curse finally breaks.
Scotland will fancy their chances of beating Haiti and competing hard with Morocco. Realistically they are battling for second or a best-third-placed finish in Group C. The expanded format gives them their best-ever shot at finally reaching the knockout rounds — a result against one of the two African or South American sides could be the difference. Cautious optimism: this is the year the group-stage curse could break.
