Scotland's Return to the World Cup Stage
Steve Clarke has guided Scotland to their first World Cup finals since 1998.
One hundred and seven days after qualification, the reality is settling in: Scotland will participate in the World Cup. Exactly 100 days from now, they will end their 28-year absence and compete on football's biggest stage once again, facing Haiti on Sunday, 14 June, at 02:00 BST, with live coverage on the BBC.
As the countdown continues, the prospect becomes slightly more tangible. Scouting reports on key players from Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti are circulating rapidly among fans and analysts. Steve Clarke has arranged Scotland's base camp in Charlotte, and the Tartan Army is preparing to proudly wear their traditional attire in stadiums across the United States.
Despite these developments, several important questions remain for the head coach with 100 days to go. BBC Scotland examines some of these below.
Goalkeeper Situation: Who Will Guard the Net?
Scotland continues to face a goalkeeper dilemma. Craig Gordon delivered heroic performances in November, conceding three goals in Athens and two against Denmark at Hampden Park. However, the 43-year-old is unlikely to feature in this month's friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast due to a shoulder injury.
The Hearts goalkeeper has missed the Scottish Premiership leaders' last two matches and was on the bench for the four games prior. Angus Gunn has also been sidelined recently, though this marks an improvement after missing 10 Premier League matchday squads for Nottingham Forest due to a knee injury in November and December.
Liam Kelly has kept two clean sheets in his two appearances for Rangers since Scotland qualified for the World Cup, both in the Scottish Cup. Falkirk's Scott Bain remains the only goalkeeper regularly playing football whom Clarke has recently included in his squads. The 34-year-old expressed optimism about participating in this month's camp, which could be crucial for fulfilling his ambition of playing at the tournament this summer.
Potential Late Call-Ups to the Squad
Any late additions to the squad will need to impress Clarke, who is known for his loyalty. For Euro 2024, Celtic winger James Forrest peaked at the right time to secure his place, while Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie was the only uncapped player selected. Ryan Jack, despite limited game time at Rangers, was a trusted member of Clarke's team.
Current Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak was named in the squad while uncapped but missed out due to injury. Clarke rarely alters his squad significantly but has acknowledged that "there's always room for an outsider." This month's friendlies could provide opportunities for surprise inclusions, especially with some regulars struggling with injuries.
Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has advocated for the inclusion of Oli McBurnie, the 29-year-old Hull City striker who last played for Scotland five years ago and has scored 13 goals in 21 Championship games this season.
Stephen O'Donnell has also made a case for recall due to his strong performances at Motherwell. Alongside him, uncapped Stephen Welsh and former international Paul McGinn are being discussed among supporters. All three have contributed significantly to Fir Park's impressive defensive record, conceding only 18 goals in 28 games this season, one of the best in Europe.
Heart of Midlothian's Harry Milne is another standout performer in the Premiership leaders. However, left-back remains a position of strength for Scotland, with Clarke recently calling on Sassuolo's Josh Doig to provide cover for Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, and Aaron Hickey.
Preparations and External Challenges
While squad selection is primarily Clarke's responsibility, some external factors are causing uncertainty. A notable issue involves a dispute between Foxborough town officials—home to Gillette Stadium, where Scotland's first two group matches against Haiti and Morocco will be held—and those responsible for security funding, due to a reported shortfall.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey reassured the public, stating:
"The World Cup is going to happen. It is going to be in Massachusetts. It's going to be great to have people come from all over the world and see our awesome state."
Another venue for Scotland's matches will be in New Jersey, but there is some uncertainty regarding the opposition for their final pre-tournament friendly. Initially, Scotland was expected to face Peru on 6 June, but Spain is now set to play Peru, leaving Scotland to find a new opponent. Clarke has expressed a preference for a South American team, with Venezuela widely linked as a potential replacement.
Additionally, Morocco will have a new head coach for their match against Scotland. Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed following the departure of Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup—the first African nation to reach that stage—and to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco. Senegal defeated Morocco in a controversial final, marking Regragui's last game in charge.
