Scotland 2026 World Cup Squad: Who Boards Flight Under Steve Clarke and Who Misses Out?

Scotland finally realised their dream in World Cup qualification and will officially take part at the tournament in 2026.

Steve Clarke’s side finished top of Group C with a stunning 4-2 victory over closest rivals Denmark who were resigned to the playoff spot for finishing second.

The Scots had taken the lead three times in what was a dramatic contest at Hampden Park before Kenny McLean’s stunner from just inside his own half capped off an incredible evening and an excellent campaign.

Wins over the Danes, Belarus and Greece saw to it that Clarke and his men would compete in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year and it will be their first World Cup since 1998.

They finished ahead of all competition with four wins and one draw from six with just an away loss in Greece preventing them

A long wait for the Tartan Army but one they will finally end when their proud nation takes to the field – whichever pitch in whichever country, doesn’t matter – for their opening match.

Clarke now has some monumental decisions to make when it comes to picking his squad for those games but the head coach, 62, has plenty of time to weigh up one player against another before having to make his choices. But it will not be easy.

The boss has proven himself to be loyal to his players over his six-and-a-half years at the helm and that has cost him at times. Not this time. However that loyalty will likely be put to the test in a year’s time when picking just 26 players to make the journey. That means some stars will have to be left behind in the dreich Scottish weather while others may be coming to the end of their international careers when the choices are to be made.

There will be heavy hitters who are guaranteed to be on the plane while others will have to rely on their club form over the next season and a bit. Some will have to settle with being considered outsiders with injuries and/or selection issues being the only real chance they’ll have.

In the following ladder we consider a handful of elements for Clarke to think about before making his picks. We think about Clarke’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, albeit the coach has chopped and changed at times to fit opponent. We also look at who is the most likely to make the squad (12-26) and then who could be outside shots. Then who could miss out entirely.

And as the tournament gets closer, we will look to update the ladder to ensure the most up to date names are where they should be…

Steve Clarke’s current Scotland XI

Angus Gunn

The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper came into the set-up under Clarke in 2023 and has been a virtually ever-present since. Gunn picked up a rough injury which kept him out of the games vs both Greece and Denmark in this qualifying campaign but the manager is a fan of the 29-year-old and will likely pick him to start next year. Of course, he will have to play more often at the City Ground.

Aaron Hickey

Hickey began his career as a left-back for Hearts before he was shifted out to the right-hand side and it was a terrific move executed perfectly by the defender. Playing regularly on that flank for Brentford has helped him become the starting player for the Scots in that spot and a chance to play at the World Cup would be a dream come true.

Grant Hanley

Would be coming to the end of his career for both club and country but you’d have to think Hanley would be desperate to be named in Clarke’s squad. Mentioning the coach’s loyalty again, this – for the would-be 35-year-old – would show just that and would reward the centre-half for his performances over the years. Obviously his final shot at playing on the biggest international stage.

John Souttar

The Rangers defender has come into his own at Ibrox in recent years. Despite Gers’ miserable Premiership campaign at the time of writing, Souttar has been one of the only real pass marks within the squad and that would stand him in good stead if he were to maintain the same level heading into next year. Clarke clearly likes the central defender and that is half the battle!

Andy Robertson

Captain Fantastic will certainly be on the plane, fitness permitting. Robertson may have had to bide his time at Liverpool for the first time this season since he made the move to Anfield back in 2017, but he is too important to his nation to be left out. His form and influence has earned him the right to play and he will enjoy the honour of captaining his country to their first WC in 28 years when it comes.

Billy Gilmour

Was ruled out vs Greece and Denmark through injury but Gilmour has done well for Napoli and will definitely be picked by Clarke as he almost always has been. The classy 24-year-old will be at the height of his powers in 2026 with another season of experience behind him and he is already thriving as Scotland’s No.6. He offers something entirely different from the rest of the squad in the midfield and his calmness will be necessary.

John McGinn

McGinn is one of a handful of stars who pick themselves in the dark blue of a Scotland jersey. The Aston Villa skipper gives his all every single match and his guile and work rate cannot be taught. When McGinn plays well, the nation tends to join him and he’s the type of player who shines on the big stage in front of the cameras.

Scott McTominay

McSauce to the initiated, has helped Scotland more than most to make the United States, Canada and Mexico. He scored twice and assisted once in the qualifiers including the overhead bicycle kick on the final evening. McTominay is a Ballon d’Or nominee and Scotland don’t have too many of them lying around. Will be a key player to their chances of making it out of their eventual group for the first time.

Ryan Christie

Bournemouth has been the making of Christie, it has to be said. He was close to being named the club’s player of the year last season and he always comes up with big moments for his country. It’s possible this position could be swapped around but for the most part it has been the 30-year-old who has been there for the Scots. At 31 he’ll be primed and ready.

Ben Gannon-Doak

Scotland are hanging a lot of their hopes on the wide player who earned a £25million move to Bournemouth this summer. Gannon-Doak has all the trickery in the world and has pace the team have been crying out for across the past umpteen years. He should have a full season of game time under his belt by the time the competition rolls around and he could be the wildcard talent for the Tartan Army to really get behind and create chaos in opposition defences.

Che Adams

Like the wide areas, up front for Scotland could be chopped and changed by Clarke. Right now the manager prefers Torino striker Adams to be his target man as the former Premier League attacker has the credentials to play that role. His goal tally for the country is half decent with 11 in 45 caps but he’s still waiting for his coming out party and where better than a World Cup to solidify yourself as your nation’s top dog?

In the Scotland squad

Craig Gordon

Gordon became the oldest European player to play in a World Cup qualifier against Greece and he would set another record at the tournament proper if he’s picked. He is vastly experienced and his last shot at the tournament might convince Clarke to pick him in his provisional squad at the very least.

Scott Bain

The only Scotland goalkeeper who is regularly playing for his club at Falkirk. Clarke opted for experience in Gordon in the most recent international window but Bain will be in with a shout if he continues to be the only stopper with regular game time. He’ll be 34 which for a ‘keeper is prime time.

Kieran Tierney

If the captain wasn’t at left-back, Tierney would surely be a regular starter in his preferred position. The Celtic star is a top talent for the country and has often been shunted around the backline to show versatility and plug gaps where he has been needed. Scored a stunner vs Denmark to secure a WC spot and he’ll be on the plane. It just depends on how often he will play. If he is fit, of course.

Greg Taylor

Another left-back option, Taylor is playing his football with PAOK in Greece and doing admirably. Took a gamble in leaving Parkhead in the summer and has, at times, spent games on the bench which was not what he was used to in Glasgow. Still, he is a solid pair of hands in the position and will be a backup option.

Scott McKenna

Clarke has many centre-half options who can be swapped around and do a similar job. McKenna has 47 caps and he is playing for Dinamo Zagreb every week right now. If he remains on the same trajectory he will be an important member of Clarke’s squad in 2026.

Jack Hendry

It is possible that the level of competition where Hendry is playing – with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi – is keeping him back from being a regular starter in the international squad. He has earned 36 caps so he is no stranger to the scene but might have to do more or get a move to be considered a main player at the back.

Ryan Porteous

Was involved plenty over the past few international windows but has fallen out of favour with the manager having made the move from the EFL Championship with Watford to Los Angeles FC in the MLS. Clarke has notoriously snubbed players playing in the US for whatever reason – see Ryan Gauld – but Porteous might be selected for the 26 simply on previous exploits.

Nathan Patterson

Has been injured for the vast majority of this season and he missed a lot of last, too. But the Everton right-back will surely do everything within his power to be back and ready for the World Cup next year. He’ll have to play regularly for the Toffees to compete against Hickey but if he’s available he will almost definitely be on the journey.

Lewis Ferguson

Named Serie A midfielder of the season in 2024, Fergie has become a standout for Bologna since his move from Aberdeen. Was named in Clarke’s starting XI this qualifying campaign more than perhaps he has been in the past and he showed up very well. Is a top operator in the engine room and at 26 would be perfect timing for him to make an impact on the big stage.

Ryan Gauld

As mentioned, the head coach does not always keep a close eye on the MLS and that’s where Gauld has been flourishing as captain of Vancouver Whitecaps. His stats at the club are terrific and he has been capped by Scotland in recent times. He brings something different and can score/assist from the midfield even in a deeper role than usual. More than likely to be used off the bench but he offers an intriguing creative spark and he has an eye for a killer pass.

Kenny McLean

The Mayor of Norwich is still riding high from his strike vs Denmark and he’ll dine out on that for a while. He is a trusted squad player for Clarke and can do a number of jobs in the midfield including attack as well as the dirtier side when asked. Will be there.

James Forrest

It will be the final chance for Celtic’s one club man to play at a World Cup as he’ll be 35 when it comes around. Brendan Rodgers still trusted Forrest before he resigned at the Hoops while Martin O’Neill also remains a fan as interim boss. The attacker still has plenty left in the tank and if he can resist the temptation to retire from international duty to stretch his club career, he should surely be involved in some capacity.

Lyndon Dykes

Could be the starting No.9 on any given day depending on Clarke’s mindset and opposition. His hold up play can be unplayable but he could score a few more goals. Does have 10 strikes in 48 international appearances and he is a big, strong boy who can do a job through the middle.

Lawrence Shankland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO5H05h6zBM

The Hearts forward has been a prolific goal scorer for the club over the years having also banged in plenty for the likes of Dundee United and Ayr before that. He might not have the same sort of upper body strength as Dykes or the experience that Adams has at the highest level but Shanks knows where the goal is. And that is vital.

George Hirst

Has been brought into the fold more recently than most others but has done well enough to be thought of in Clarke’s squad overall. It is unlikely he’d be given much game time, if we’re being honest, but the Ipswich Town frontman would love the experience regardless. Started late for Scotland but has six caps and a goal. Might be a benchwarmer.

On Scotland fringes of World Cup 2026 spot

Liam Kelly

Rangers’ number two would love to be on the flight to the Americas. He is behind Jack Butland at Ibrox and now is further behind Bain and even Gordon for his country. Should anything happen to any goalie ahead of him, he’d be a solid late arrival.

Anthony Ralston

Has been thrown into the deep end this season for Celtic with Alistair Johnston injured and has been shown up at times. However, the right-back does the basics well enough and has been in and around the squad already so has that experience to fall back on. Might add to his 24 caps but the likelihood is he’d be kept out of the squad if Patterson can get himself fit.

Andy Irving

Midfield is where Scotland are stacked and that’s where Irving might struggle to force himself in. The Celtic transfer target has been there or thereabouts for a while and was involved in the World Cup qualifying campaign albeit he didn’t play any minutes on the pitch in games. Has just one cap from a friendly vs Lichtenstein but if he can put together a run for Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham there’s always a chance he could do it.

Ross McCrorie

Had to pull out of the qualifiers this break but earned the right to be there with performances in the EFL Championship with Bristol City. McCrorie will be 28 when the World Cup contest arrives and who knows which club he’ll be at if he keeps up his form for City. Right now he’s not on the list but there’s still time.

Max Johnston

Was given a chance previously by Clarke in Scotland gear and he did okay against the likes of Greece and Belarus as well as Iceland previously albeit Scotland were defeated. MJ won titles in Austria with Sturm Graz and earned a move to Derby County so who knows where he’ll be in 2026 and at what level he’ll be performing.

Lennon Miller

Was a star for Motherwell before moving to Udinese in Serie A and following in the footsteps of other Scotland internationals who have played in Italy including McTominay, Gilmour and Ferguson as well as Hickey. If he can get a push at his club and play well regularly in a difficult division, it might be tough to leave him out. He’ll also still only be 19-years-old so time is on his side.

Josh Mulligan

Maybe not yet considered at international level but Hibs defender Mulligan is always improving. He will be an outsider depending on form as well as other players around him and their fitness levels.

Connor Barron

The Rangers midfielder faces the same battle others do in keeping Scotland’s top stars out of their spots in the middle of the pitch. It might even be just out of his reach to make the squad at all rather than playing any minutes but as we know, things can change.

Kieron Bowie

Was close to being called up for the qualifiers having been named in previous Clarke squads. He has also had a few minutes here and there for the Scotland A team so will be hoping for more of that. Bowie has four goals for Hibs this term and will have to show more over the next 12 months if he is to stand a chance of a place.

Tommy Conway

The Middlesbrough striker, 23, has not exactly been prolific this season but he did show some real talent at Bristol City before he landed his move to the Riverside. Has been involved with his country before and had big chances to score so he will always be on Clarke’s mind when picking his squad. That doesn’t guarantee anything, though, and he’ll probably only have an outside shot of featuring.

Harvey Barnes

The Newcastle United attacker has not been capped at A team level by Scotland yet but he is eligible through grandparents. Recently admitted in a chat with Sky Sports that he would still consider a move to the Scots despite also making himself available for England, too, if Thomas Tuchel fancied a nibble. He would definitely be an outsider as Clarke has already held discussions with him over his allegiances which did not ultimately result in a call up. Barnes would be an exciting move for Scotland to pick in future squads as he’s running out of time to make any real impact on the international stage. Still young, yes, but no closer to a cap. Given the fact that he has not been snapped up yet, it’s improbable that Clarke would have him at the World Cup. But not impossible.