Scotland squad World Cup 2026: Which players will make it to the showpiece in USA, Mexico and Canada?

It may seem like Craig Gordon has been around for 20 years - 22 since his Scotland debut, to be exact - but he is still the goalkeeper with the biggest chance of taking the No. 1 jersey for Scotland this summer. The former Sunderland shot-stopper wasn't included in the March squad due to a shoulder complaint, however, so other players got the chance to press their cases. Those include Nottingham Forest back-up Angus Gunn, Falkirk's Scott Bain and Liam Kelly of Rangers. 

Scotland's defensive core have been playing together internationally for a long time, which will help in terms of organisation when it comes to the World Cup. Skipper Andy Robertson is still getting games for Liverpool and should be sharp for the summer, while left-sided companion Kieran Tierney is enjoying plenty of minutes back with Celtic after a difficult final few years with Arsenal.

Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna will hope to keep things neat and tidy in central defence, while Brentford's Aaron Hickey can offer pace and drive from right-back. Also expected to be included in the final squad are the likes of Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry and Anthony Ralston. 

Scotland have certainly benefitted from the transfer choices of a number of midfield players, with four regulars now playing their football in Italy's Serie A. The headline name is definitely Scott McTominay, who is enjoying his peak years with Napoli alongside Billy Gilmour, who also made the move to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the summer of 2024. Bologna's Lewis Ferguson and Udinese's Lennon Miller may also make the final cut.

John McGinn remains a vital cog in the Scotland machine. The hard-working Aston Villa man has consistency produced when it's mattered for his country and will be keen to register a first goal at a major international tournament. Bournemouth's Ryan Christie will offer plenty of Premier League industry, while Kenny McLean adds more experience at 34 years of age.

Scotland face the same problem a number of World Cup nations will this summer in that they don't have a particularly prolific striker up front. They do have industrious outlets who are committed to the cause, however, with the likes of Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams hoping to be given the nod in attack.

Tommy Conway, George Hirst and Findlay Curtis were all included in the March squad but have only one international goal between them, highlighting the lack of depth manager Clarke has in attacking positions. Lawrence Shankland has had a tremendous season for Hearts and could find himself in the starting XI in North America, while Ben Gannon-Doak's extreme pace could be a difference maker if he can prove his fitness over the next few months.

Scott McTominay is the obvious star name in the Scotland squad. The midfielder showed glimpses of his goalscoring potential at Manchester United and has gone up another level while at Napoli. John McGinn will be incredibly important beside him, adding another goal threat from the middle of the park.

Scotland will have plenty of defending to do at the World Cup, particularly in the clashes with Brazil and Morocco in the group stage, so the likes of Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney will have to be more than just switched on in wide areas at the back.

Craig Gordon will become one of the oldest players in men's World Cup history if he makes the final squad, but there's no question over his reliability given some of the saves and performances he's pulled out in recent years.

Clarke has largely tended to field a 4-2-3-1 system in recent international breaks, moving away from the three at the back formation that had previously served the Scots so well. The current formation offers the likes of McGinn and McTominay greater freedom to break forward when the opportunity presents itself but remains rooted in a disciplined and committed ethos.

There will be a fair amount of sitting in and waiting for the chance to pounce, but it's a tactic that has served Scotland well in the past and may well again this summer.

Predicted Scotland starting XI (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Hickey, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; Ferguson, McGinn; Christie, McTominay, Gannon-Doak; Dykes.