Steve Clarke backs Ross Stewart's form, keeps faith with Craig Gordon and includes young winger Findlay Curtis while revealing contingency plans
The Scotland head coach, Steve Clarke, has confirmed his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, stressing a mixture of form, character and experience informed his choices. Clarke highlighted the narratives behind several inclusions and omissions, describing one recall as a “good story” while admitting that some conversations with unlucky players were difficult.
The announcement set out not only the travelling party but also Clarke’s approach to goalkeeping resources and an unnamed back-up to train as a potential 27th-man.
Clarke has emphasised the importance of team dynamics and resilience when selecting a group who will be away for weeks in the tournament.
He underlined that beyond pure ability he values players who contribute positively to the dressing room and can cope with the pressures of a major international event. The squad includes a blend of veterans and young talent, and Clarke signalled that the final shape is intended to balance defensive solidity, midfield control and multiple attacking options.
Attackers and form picks
Ross Stewart earns a recall after finding strong form at Southampton, where his goal return has been significant since returning from injury. Clarke praised Stewart for scoring important goals late in the season and for demonstrating he can make an impact when introduced off the bench. Stewart joins a forward line that also features Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland and George Hirst, giving Clarke a variety of styles — target men, mobile attackers and proven goalscorers — to deploy during the tournament.
Youth and opportunity: Findlay Curtis
The inclusion of 19-year-old Findlay Curtis reflects Clarke’s willingness to reward young players who take calculated steps to accelerate their development. After leaving Rangers on loan for regular minutes with Kilmarnock, Curtis seized his opportunity, earning his first cap in March and impressing in the second half of the season. Clarke highlighted that young players often need to move away from big clubs temporarily to gain experience, and Curtis’s performances and personality convinced the manager that he brings something a bit different to Scotland’s attacking options.
Midfield balance and tough calls
Clarke opted to include six midfielders to complement his selection of forwards, prioritising a specific balance across defensive coverage, creativity and driving runs. The midfield contingent contains experienced names such as John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Kenny McLean, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson, while young prospect Ben Gannon-Doak is also part of the group as he returns from a serious hamstring injury. One notable omission was Udinese’s 19-year-old Lennon Miller, a decision Clarke described as the most difficult conversation given the player’s age and recent involvement in squads.
Exclusions explained
Clarke explained that the choice to include an extra forward rather than an additional midfielder was tactical and intended to provide more attacking options during the tournament. He acknowledged several players who had strong seasons but missed out, stressing the limited nature of a 26-man squad and the need to pick the group he feels best serves the team. The manager also expressed empathy for those disappointed and reiterated that selection decisions are final, rooted in the balance he believes is essential for success.
Goalkeepers, contingencies and the stand-by list
The goalkeeper trio picked are veteran Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest) and Liam Kelly (Rangers). Clarke admitted this was a difficult call because the three have had limited club minutes this season, but he defended Gordon’s selection after monitoring his recovery from a shoulder issue and receiving positive training reports. Clarke emphasised that, provided keepers train well, they can step into action when required. To ease training loads, he plans to name an unnamed younger goalkeeper as a training addition — an extra training goalkeeper who will act as a 27th resource around the squad.
Stand-by planning and match build-up
Players not in the final 26 will be informed if they are on the official stand-by list and asked to maintain reasonable fitness just in case they are required. Clarke reminded that injury replacements are permitted up to 24 hours before Scotland’s first match, and he will keep the standby pool updated. Scotland have two warm-up fixtures, facing Curacao on May 30 at Hampden Park and then playing Bolivia in the USA, before opening the World Cup campaign on June 14 against Haiti and then meeting Morocco and Brazil in the group stage.
The squad and final thoughts
The full travelling party reflects Clarke’s emphasis on experience, character and recent form. Defenders include Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar and Kieran Tierney. Midfielders are Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon-Doak, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean and Scott McTominay. Forwards are Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland and Ross Stewart. Clarke concluded that the group has the mix required to compete in the tournament and that squad spirit will be as important as tactical preparation.
