Scotland Men's Football Team

Scotland start their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup with a tough trip to Denmark on Friday.

Having missed the past six finals, can Scotland return to the biggest football stage of all for the first time since 1998?

Opening matches are always important, so let's have a look at how those previous failed campaigns began.

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Scotland finished third in the qualifying groups for the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2018 tournaments.

There was a fourth place behind Belgium, Croatia and Serbia on the road to 2014.

Scotland suffered just one one defeat in 10 fixtures last time - which just happened to be in Copenhagen - as they ended second in the table, four points behind Denmark.

However, a 3-1 defeat by Ukraine in a poor play-off semi-final display at Hampden dashed dreams of getting to Qatar.

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Selecting the goalkeeper is the "biggest" decision Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has to make before the opening World Cup qualifying fixtures, says Robbie Neilson.

Hearts' Zander Clark, Nottingham Forest's Angus Gunn and Rangers' Liam Kelly are the three keepers in Clarke's squad to face Denmark and Belarus, with both games away from home.

Gunn is the most capped of the trio with 16 senior international appearances, Clark playing four times and Kelly having one cap.

However, Clark is the only one playing regularly this season with Kelly having made one Rangers appearance so far this term and Gunn yet to make his Forest debut.

"He'll probably try and see the relationship that's getting built with each keeper with his preferred defensive line and then try and make a decision from there," said former Hearts and Dundee United boss Neilson, who played once for Scotland in 2006.

"That's probably the biggest one he's got to make."

Scotland visit Denmark on Friday then travel to play Belarus on Monday and will also take on Greece in their four-team group.

"We've got a good squad," Neilson said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "The biggest issue is what formation we play and who we pick.

"When you look at the make-up of our squad - [Aaron] Hickey's coming back in, you've got [Kieran] Tierney, [Andy] Robertson. One of the problems we've had over the last few years is fitting these quality defenders into the team.

"Midfield-wise, we're super strong and that striker department is the problem we really have, out with the goalkeeper. We don't have world class players in that top end.

"Do you go with a stronger base and try and almost grind out the win or do you open up and play less of your good players at the back and more of your so-called lesser players up front?

"I think we'll see more of a 3-5-2, potentially a 3-4-3 but really it becomes a 5-4-1."

The Danes reached the last World Cup finals and played the Scots in the qualification campaign for that tournament. The home team won 2-0 on both occasions.

"Denmark are a world class team," added Neilson. "They've got some good players.

"Going away to Copenhagen gives everyone a real focus for the start of it. If we get the three points, then it's a massive start to the campaign for us.

"Denmark will have to win the game, they'll be seeing it as a game that they open up and try and win so can we go there, stifle them, stifle the crowd a wee bit and pick up the three points?

"If any game is made for Steve Clarke management and the way he gets his team set up, this is it."

Versatile Scotland player Ryan Christie, 30, is "willing to play anywhere" for the national team. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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• Denmark have won their past three home matches against Scotland without conceding a goal, with this the first meeting since September 2021, a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier. The Scots' last win in Denmark came in a European Championship qualifier in 1975, a 1-0 win with a goal from Joe Harper.

• The past five meetings between Denmark and Scotland have all been won by the home side – the last away victory came via the Danes winning 1-0 in an August 2002 friendly at Hampden Park.

• Denmark have won 10 of their past 11 World Cup qualifying matches (L1), though their most recent game was a 2-0 away defeat to Scotland in November 2021. On home soil, the Danes have won their past five in a row by an aggregate score of 19-1.

• Scotland have won their past three away World Cup qualifiers, since losing 2-0 away at Denmark in September 2021. The Scots have never previously won four away World Cup qualifying games in a row.

• Denmark have won 25 of their past 28 home games in all competitions (D1 L2), keeping 18 clean sheets in these games. They haven't conceded more than twice in a home game since losing 4-0 to Armenia back in June 2013.

• This match will be Steve Clarke's 69th in charge of Scotland, going ahead of Jock Stein into outright second place for games managed for the Scots; only Craig Brown has ever managed more (71). His 29 wins are also level with Stein's total, three behind the record of 32 won by Brown.

• Che Adams scored a hat-trick in his most recent Scotland appearance in the 4-0 win over Liechtenstein – he's had a hand in nine goals in 13 away starts for his country (six goals, three assists).

• Since Brian Riemer's arrival as Denmark manager, only Christian Eriksen (five) has more goals for the Danes than defender Rasmus Kristensen (two), while Kristensen has also made the most tackles of any player in Riemer's six games in charge (13), despite only playing in four of them.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Malky Mackay handed Ryan Christie his international debut in a friendly defeat to the Netherlands in 2017, the then-interim head coach Malky Mackay said he was "someone who could play for Scotland for the next 10 years".

Eight years in, you wouldn't bet against it.

The versatile Bournemouth attacker is on the cusp of earning his 60th cap and could do so in Copenhagen on Friday night as Scotland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Denmark - live across the BBC.

Much has changed since Mackay handed debuts to Christie, Ryan Jack, Callum McGregor and Jason Cummings, not least Scotland are back playing at major tournaments.

There is, of course, one thing missing. A World Cup qualification.

Christie, who memorably burst into tears when Scotland reached Euro 2020, admitted it would be "pretty special" to be part of the squad to end the drought.

"It would be a massive achievement for everyone who's been involved in this journey so far," the 30-year-old said.

"It's six massive games, six cup finals if you will. I think we go into it in a good place because we know how much we want it.

"We've got the experience of the Euros and the last qualifiers. We know what's needed.

"All the boys that have qualified before, I think this is the one thing that's missing for so many of us. We're desperate to do it along with the gaffer."

Christie believes Scotland are "in a great place" on the back of back-to-back European Championships and credited Steve Clarke for creating that environment.

"Everybody's pulling in the same direction," he added. "I don't think we had that when I first joined the Scotland set-up.

"The gaffer, over his tenure, has been superb at keeping that core of players together and getting success along the way.

"The success that it's brought has helped us with the confidence and belief that we are a country that can qualify and pick up big results against big teams."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Steven Naismith believes Scotland have "a really good chance" of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup having "slipped straight back in" to Steve Clarke's staff.

Former Hearts head coach Naismith was confirmed as John Carver's successor as Clarke's assistant, having previously served in his backroom team in the lead up to Euro 2024.

Having seen the progression the squad have taken since his first stint in the Scotland ranks, former forward Naismith is confident the current crop can "tick the one box they haven't".

"It's a really good [chance]," Naismith said as the squad hook up for the opening qualifying matches against Denmark and Belarus.

"But that doesn't mean it's there just to take. You need to work hard for it."

It'll be a case of working hard and fast this time round, with just six qualifying matches - all completed before the end of November.

Naismith thinks the condensed calendar can play to Scotland's strength with their club-like environment, but stressed the importance of getting off to a strong start and building momentum.

"You've got two tough games away from home and I think everybody in the group will sit there and think 'we've got a chance here' and that's where you need to just go out and do it and prove it," he said.

"This condensed qualifying campaign, you can build real momentum and that starts in this week ahead."

Naismith is itching to get back on the pitch with the players - many of whom were part of the squad when he was last involved in the national team set-up - and get working for a World Cup appearance.

"I was grateful the first time round to get the opportunity really early on," he added.

"It developed me as a coach, a manager, a lot and I think I'm definitely more experienced now, but I've slipped straight back in and it feels comfortable.

"I think that's a good thing for me and it's exciting.

"I've been around at stages laterally when I played, when I was a coach, when things built up to what was getting to Euros, which was brilliant and with the opportunity to get to a World Cup in three months, it's very exciting."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland and Birmingham City striker Lyndon Dykes is a loan target for Hibernian.

But as yet there's been no further movement on a potential deal for the 29-year-old before Monday's transfer deadline.

Dykes, who has been named in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for next month's opening World Cup qualifiers, has made just one start in five appearances for English Championship newcomers Birmingham this season.

He joined the Blues from Queens Park Rangers last summer but struggled for regular game-time and scored just three times before missing the final three months of the 2024-25 season through injury.

Australia-born Dykes has nine goals in 42 caps for Scotland.

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Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill says new club cooperation agreements have been "great" and will have a "big effect" on the opportunities available for young players to develop.

Under the Scottish FA initiative, which came into effect this summer, clubs can have partners in each division which allow Scottish under-21 players to move freely between parent and loan clubs.

Gemmill, whose side open their latest European qualifying campaign against Czechia and Portugal next month, said: "We speak about it a lot, how crucial it is for the players to get an opportunity.

"We all realise how difficult it is and it's credit to the players that they've put themselves in that position where the manager trusts them to play in these big games.

"The Scottish FA have done great work changing the rules on the cooperation agreement. I think that's going to have a big effect and more and more young players are going to get an opportunity."

Gemmill has also been able to call up 18-year-old Rangers and Celtic players following first-team breakthroughs.

Ibrox winger Findlay Curtis has scored three goals in six appearances this season, and Celtic right-back Colby Donovan is set to add to his two Under-21 caps after making his first-team debut during Saturday's win over Livingston.

"Obviously the two examples you're referencing are very high profile at the top level but it will be happening at all levels due to the cooperation agreement," Gemmill added.

Scotland U21 squad: Adams (Dundee Utd, on loan to East Fife), Mahady (Leeds), McFarlane (Hearts), McKenna (Bournemouth); Anderson (Kortrijik), Cleall-Harding (Dundee Utd), (Donovan (Celtic), Graham (Dundee), McPherson (Celtic, on loan to Partick), Smith (Ross County); Borland (Aston Villa), Curtis (Rangers), Kelly (Millwall), Lawrence (Man City), Lets'osa (Partick), Montgomery (Blackburn), Mullen (Dunfermline), Thomson (Dundee Utd), Watson (Kilmarnock); Gardner (Grimsby), Mebude (Westerlo), One (Sheff Utd), Ure (Sirius), Wilson (Hearts).

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Scotland's goalkeeper selection is the one "mystery" going into their World Cup qualifying campaign, says Cillian Sheridan.

Steve Clarke has called up Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly for next month's matches away to Denmark and Belarus.

Hearts' Clark has played six times this season, Gunn is yet to feature for new club Nottingham Forest and Kelly has played once at Rangers this term.

Republic of Ireland international Sheridan does not believe it is necessary for head coach Clarke to announce who will be his number one.

"I don't think it would be that much of an issue, maybe more if you're a centre-half or you're playing in a position that you need to have a partnership with the goalkeepers," Sheridan told the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"The most beneficial way would be potentially the actual goalkeepers, if they all had a clear idea. But then again you can say it breeds competition within the squad if they all think there's a number one slot there available for them to compete for. It creates healthy competition.

"It's probably the one position where you don't really know what he's going to to. That's the one position where there is actually a bit of mystery over, you're never quite sure who is going to be the number one."

Football writer Gordon Waddell, meanwhile, says Clark must believe he is the frontrunner for the gloves in next month's opening double-header away to Denmark and Belarus.

"If I'm Zander Clark and I'm the only one of these three guys who's actually playing regular football and I don't get picked ahead of Angus Gunn, who's not playing, then the psychology of that's quite difficult for Clarke as well," Waddell said.

"I'm not saying he'll assume that he's going to be playing when he comes into the squad, but at the same time, he'll probably be thinking, well, if ever there's a time for me to be getting caps here, it's surely ahead of these two guys who aren't playing."

Derby County have agreed a £3.5m deal with Austrian club Sturm Graz for Scotland right-back Max Johnston, 21, who is set to undergo a medical ahead of signing a four-year contract. (Sky Sports), external

Everton and Scotland defender Nathan Patterson is wanted by Sevilla, who are exploring a loan deal for the 23-year-old. (Liverpool Echo), external

Scotland defender Scott McKenna, 28, draws praise after his start to life at Dinamo Zagreb. (Scotsman - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says Ben Gannon Doak "has to play" following his move from Liverpool to Bournemouth.

The 19-year-old has been called up by Clarke for the World Cup qualifying opener against Denmark and Belarus.

Gannon-Doak, who has six Scotland caps, has moved in a potential £25m deal.

"He has to play, he has to keep his standards high, he has to do well when he plays," said Clarke.

"Obviously for us it's nice to have him back because he gives us something a little bit different to the players that we have. It gives us another option.

"We've shown that we can play different systems with Ben, different systems without Ben and that's what we'll try and do over the six games."

Clarke admitted a degree of remorse at omitting forward Tommy Conway.

"I feel a little bit sorry for Tommy Conway, but I've got Lyndon Dykes back fit," he explained. "I just feel that Lyndon's experience can give us a little bit more up front, certainly for these two away games. But Tommy's another one that we shouldn't forget about in the future.

"When I look at that squad, it's got a lot of good experience in it, players that know how to qualify for major tournaments and I'm hopeful we can do that again.

"We need six top performances over a short space of time and I believe this group of players can deliver that."

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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has named his squad for the opening World Cup qualifiers away to Denmark and Belarus.

Here's a taste of what he had to say:

• The wait for a place at a World Cup since 1998 is "probably too long", says the head coach before adding: "Hopefully, we can put it right this time."

• Clarke is "excited for the challenge" of a six-game campaign over three months.

• "Really good" to have "single-minded and determined" Aaron Hickey back from long-term injury.

• "Big player" Hickey will have his minutes managed as he builds up fitness.

• On the appointment of Steven Naismith as a replacement for assistant coach John Carver, Clarke feels it was important to have someone "who understands the way I work".

• Clarke says Bournemouth is a "good move" for Ben Gannon Doak "if he plays". Scotland can adapt different systems with and without the winger.

• "Feels sorry" for Tommy Conway but has gone with the experience of fit-again Lyndon Dykes. Lawrence Shankland has also not been selected but is "not out of our thoughts".

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke on World Cup hopes, Steven Naismith and Tommy Conway.