As Scotland prepares for their first FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup appearance since 1998, former international Ally McCoistPlayer·Ally McCoist has issued a clear challenge to the squad: make a lasting impact. Speaking on TNT Sports' The Breakdown, McCoist reflected on previous UEFA European Championship campaigns in 2020 and 2024, where Scotland secured only a single point in each group stage, stating, "We never laid a glove on anybody ."
Scotland's qualification for the 2026 World Cup was achieved impressively, as they topped UEFA Qualification Group CCompetition·UEFA Qualification Group C in the 2025/26 season, winning four of six matches, including a crucial 4-2 victory against DenmarkTeam·Denmark in November 2025. This success has elevated expectations for the tournament in North America.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World CupCompetition·FIFA World Cup places Scotland in Group C, a challenging quartet that includes five-time champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists MoroccoTeam·Morocco. Their opening fixture, however, is against HaitiTeam·Haiti on June 14, a team making only its second World Cup appearance. McCoist views this initial match as pivotal, emphasizing the importance of a strong start.
"He's got us to the last two Euros, he's got us to the last World Cup, but we've got to make an impact, do something that makes us all talk about Scotland for a reason," McCoist stated, acknowledging the work of head coach Steve Clarke since his 2019 appointment. He added, "I genuinely think we should win our opening game ."
While Scotland is not widely tipped to reach the latter stages of the tournament, the expanded format offers three potential qualification spots from the group stage, fueling hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds. The team's final group game, a clash with Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil on June 24 in MiamiVenue·Miami, will serve as a significant test of their capabilities on the global stage.
McCoist highlighted the quality within the Scottish ranks, naming key players such as John McGinnPlayer·John McGinn, Scott McTominayPlayer·Scott McTominay, Ryan ChristiePlayer·Ryan Christie, Kieran TierneyPlayer·Kieran Tierney, and Andy Robertson as "good footballers." He also praised the "solid, honest defenders" in the squad, though he acknowledged a "lack a bit of quality in forward areas."
Recent friendly results have shown inconsistency, with a 0-1 loss to JapanTeam·Japan and another 0-1 defeat to Ivory CoastTeam·Ivory Coast in March 2026, followed by a 4-1 victory over CuracaoTeam·Curacao in May 2026, where RangersTeam·Rangers-bound striker Lawrence Shankland scored twice. These warm-up performances, however, will be quickly overshadowed if Scotland delivers a strong showing in the tournament.
Head coach Steve Clarke articulated the team's ambition before their departure for North America. "This is the third tournament this group has been at and we want to be the first Scottish team to get to the knockout stage," Clarke said. "Hopefully we can show a bit of tournament experience and make it a summer to remember."
Former Scotland international Ally McCoist among the crowd at a football match. Credit: Shutterstock/IMAGO
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