Scotland coach Steve Clarke announced the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on May 19, 2026. The squad features Southampton striker Ross Stewart, recalled to the national team after four years out, and veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, included despite limited club action due to injury [1, 2, 3, 4].

Stewart, 29, scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Southampton during the 2025-26 season. He netted 5 goals in his last 10 games, including important playoff matches, highlighting a return to form after a long injury layoff. Clarke said Stewart "has hit a rich vein of form since January, big goals in big games," and praised his fit within the squad’s dynamic from previous years [2, 3, 4].

The squad also includes teenage winger Findlay Curtis on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers. Clarke described the team as stable with little change from previous successful groups that qualified for Scotland’s first World Cup since 1998 [1, 2, 3, 4].

Notable omissions from the squad are Lennon Miller, Oli McBurnie, and Ross McCrorie, reflecting tough selection decisions for Scotland’s third World Cup appearance [4].

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon, despite an injury-limited season, was monitored closely by coaching staff. Clarke said: "We have had good reports back from Hearts. I sent [goalkeeping coach] Chris Woods to watch him train at Hearts. He deserves to be there." Gordon is one of three goalkeepers in the squad [2, 3, 4].

Scotland are drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti. Their World Cup campaign will start on June 13 with a group stage match against Haiti in Boston. The team will play pre-tournament friendlies against Curaçao and Bolivia, with the Bolivia game scheduled in New Jersey [2, 3, 4].

Clarke emphasized the importance of experience in naming the squad: "When you are naming a squad for an event as big as a World Cup it takes a toll. You think a lot about it. This is a group of players who understand how to qualify for major tournaments – this is our third. Hopefully the experience of the boys will come to the fore" [4].