Meet the 26 players in Scotland’s first World Cup squad since 1998

Breaking news from the world of sport: Skip to main contentGoalkeepersDefendersMidfieldersForwardsScotland Squad GuideFIFA World Cup 2026Scotland have reached the World Cup for the first time since 1998, ending the hurt of six unsuccessful qualifying campaigns. Scotland, though, are no strangers to reaching major tournaments under head coach Steve Clarke, having previously reached the finals of Euro 2020 and 2024 during his tenure. They will now be targeting reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the very first time.

Meet the Scotland players Clarke has selected in his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament. Steve ClarkHead CoachQualification for the 2026 World Cup means that Steve Clarke has guided Scotland to three out of a four possible major tournaments since becoming head coach. He became the first man to lead Scotland to back-to-back European Championships in 2024, although they are yet to win a group-stage game under Clarke (D2, L4).

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His contract is due to expire at the end of this summer’s tournament. He is the first man to lead Scotland to a World Cup since Craig Brown in 1998. Clarke was appointed in May 2019, a day after guiding Kilmarnock to a finish of third in the Scottish Premiership.

Clarke replaced Alex McLeish on a three-year deal with Scotland fifth in their Euro 2020 qualifying group after two games. On taking the appointment, the former West Brom and Reading manager said he wanted to emulate the success of Scotland’s women’s team, who had qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup. That goal was duly realised with the play-off penalty shoot-out win versus Serbia to qualify for a first European Championship since 1996.

It was the six-cap Scotland international’s tenure at Kilmarnock that ultimately won him the national role. He took over at Rugby Park in 2017, steering Killie from second bottom to fifth place with a record points tally. Third place in 2019 delivered European football for the first time since 2001, while Clarke won the PFA and SFWA manager of the year awards.

Reactions and Expectations

GoalkeepersJUMP TODefendersJUMP TOMidfieldersJUMP TOForwardsJUMP TOGoalkeepersAngus GunnClub: Nottingham Forest Caps: 21 Born: 22. 96 (age 30)Gunn played all three games at Euro 2024 although his chances of doing so at a second major tournament may have been harmed by a lack of football since swapping Norwich City for the City Ground last summer. He’s played just 45 minutes for Forest, although his squad rivals have been similarly marginalised, with none of Scotland’s selected keepers currently first choice at club level.

Gunn represented England at under-16 to under-21 level but changed allegiance to Scotland in 2023, following in the footsteps of dad Bryan, who was capped six times for the Tartan Army. A trial at Norwich at the age of eight began as an outfield player but he signed as a goalkeeper two months later. His first pro-contract came at Manchester City after joining as a 15-year-old but he didn’t make a first-team appearance before joining Southampton for £10m in 2018.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.