The long wait is nearly over. Scotland manager Steve Clarke is set to reveal his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday at 11am, marking the nation's return to football's grandest stage for the first time since 1998. The announcement will be scrutinized as Clarke balances loyalty to the players who secured qualification with the need to address a spate of injuries and regain momentum ahead of warm-up fixtures against Curacao and Bolivia.
In goal, Clarke faces a familiar conundrum. Number one choice Angus Gunn has mustered just 45 minutes of club football at Nottingham Forest this season, while veteran Craig Gordon, 43, has been sidelined by shoulder problems and limited to three league appearances for Hearts. Gordon missed the March internationals entirely due to injury. The reliable Scott Bain, who left Celtic for Falkirk last summer to secure regular first-team football, featured against Ivory Coast in March but then missed his club's last five league games with an ankle issue. However, Bain is expected to be fit for the World Cup, making him a viable option. Rangers' Liam Kelly also featured in recent camps but has been restricted to cup outings behind Jack Butland, leaving Clarke with a tricky choice between match-sharpness and proven experience.
Defensive concerns are mounting. Grant Hanley was forced off during Hibernian's defeat to Motherwell on Saturday, raising questions over his availability. Hanley has been a mainstay in Clarke's setup, and any absence would disrupt a backline that has relied on the consistency of Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, and John Souttar. While the core of the defense that navigated the qualifiers is expected to travel, Hanley's injury underscores the fragility of the squad. Clarke may need to consider late replacements or adjust his system if key players fail to prove their fitness in time.
Midfield offers a mix of loyalty and intrigue. Clarke is known to value the group that ended the nation's 28-year absence from the World Cup, but the door remains open for "an outsider." One such candidate could be Andy Irving, who moved to Sparta Prague and has gained valuable European experience. His late-season form in the Czech league might just catch Clarke's eye, though the competition is fierce with established names like John McGinn and Scott McTominay likely to hold their places. The absence of fresh injuries in midfield could be a silver lining, but Clarke must decide whether to reward form or stick with tried-and-tested personnel.
The forward line presents its own puzzles. Lawrence Shankland, who missed Scotland's March games through injury, will be hoping his recovery is deemed sufficient. His club form for Hearts has often been explosive, but a lack of recent international minutes could count against him. Tommy Conway also limped off during Middlesbrough's play-off campaign, casting doubt on his readiness. Meanwhile, Kieron Bowie's January move from Hibernian to Hellas Verona in Serie A adds another dimension—his Italian adventure might sharpen his game, but adapting to Clarke's system in limited warm-up time is a gamble. The manager must weigh upside against reliability.
With the World Cup opener against Haiti looming on June 14, Scotland's preparation includes a Hampden Park friendly against Curacao on May 30, followed by a clash with Bolivia in the United States. These fixtures are crucial for integrating newcomers and testing the physical state of the squad. Dropped points in the Nations League last year highlighted Scotland's vulnerability when the group isn't fully cohesive, so Clarke will use these matches to fine-tune his strategy against contrasting styles: Curacao's athleticism and Bolivia's high-altitude acclimatization surrogate will mirror the challenges ahead.
The group stage draw has been unkind but not impossible. Haiti, the first opponent, are unpredictable and capable of upsets, as they showed in qualifying. Morocco reached the semi-finals in 2022, and Brazil are perennial contenders. For Scotland, a point against Haiti is non-negotiable, while the matches against Morocco and Brazil will demand tactical discipline and perhaps a dash of opportunism. Clarke's squad selection will reflect whether he plans to absorb pressure or take the game to opponents.
Clarke's own future was uncertain earlier this year, but he remains committed to the project. His approach to this squad has been consistent: "a degree of loyalty" but with a deliberate opening for a surprise inclusion. That philosophy got Scotland to North America, and now it will be tested on the biggest stage. The players who delivered in the qualifiers will hope that trust is enough to secure their tickets, while fringe candidates scramble to prove they can bring something different.
In the coming hours, anxiety and anticipation will mingle as Clarke finalizes his list. Injuries, form, and the sheer magnitude of the occasion will all weigh on his decisions. For a nation starved of World Cup football for over a quarter of a century, every name counts. The squad announcement is more than a formality—it's the first real step toward Boston.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.
