Scotland have been on the outside of the FIFA World Cup looking in for almost three decades.
The Tartan Army last competed in the finals under Craig Brown at France '98.
However, after two successful qualification campaigns for Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, Steve Clark's side produced a strong showing in qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Inspired by Napoli's Ballon d'Or nominee Scott McTominay, are Scotland ready to return to the football's biggest stage?
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Have Scotland qualified for World Cup 2026?
Scotland qualified with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark on the final day of the UEFA qualifying group phase.
A sapping 3-2 defeat away to Greece in their penultimate qualifier left Steve Clarke's team with a must-win encounter against the Group C leaders at Hampden Park. The Danes only needed a draw to retain top spot and advance automatically.
Scott McTominay gave them an early lead before Rasmus Hojlund equalised from the penalty spot. Then, Rasmus Kristensen was harshly given a second yellow card, which swung things in Scotland's favour.
Lawrence Shankland restored the lead only for Patrick Dorgu to equalise four minutes later, and it seemed as though Denmark would hold on until deep into added time. Kieran Tierney scored a superb goal in the 93rd minute, and with the last kick of the contest, Kenny McLean chipped the retreating Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line.
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Scotland World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
Scotland contested one of the four-team UEFA qualifying groups, meaning all of their round-robin matches took place between September and November 2025
Scotland World Cup 2026 qualifying results
| Date | Match | Venue |
| September 5, 2025 | Denmark 0-0 Scotland | Parken Stadium (Copenhagen, Denmark) |
| September 8, 2025 | Belarus 0-2 Scotland | ZTE Arena (Zalaegerszeg, Hungary) |
| October 9, 2025 | Scotland 3-1 Greece | Hampden Park (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| October 12, 2025 | Scotland 2-1 Belarus | Hampden Park (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| November 15, 2025 | Greece 3-2 Scotland | Karaiskakis Stadium (Piraeus, Greece) |
| November 18, 2025 | Scotland 4-2 Denmark | Hampden Park (Glasgow, Scotland) |
Scotland World Cup record
Scotland qualified for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil but declined to enter because they finished as runner-up to England in the British Home Championships. Despite protests from the players, who wanted to play at the tournament, the Scottish FA stood by their pledge that they would only play at the World Cup as British champions.
Their debut, therefore, came four years later and established a wearying pattern for Scottish football fans.
On all eight of their appearances at the World Cup, Scotland have departed at the group stage. No country has qualified for as many tournaments without progressing beyond the first round. The 1974 World Cup, where Scotland were knocked out on goal difference despite beating Zaire and drawing with Brazil and Yugoslavia, began a run of five consecutive tumbles at the first hurdle.
Scotland record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Did not enter | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Did not enter | Italy |
| 1938 | Did not enter | France |
| 1950 | Qualified but withdrew | Brazil |
| 1954 | Group stage | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Group stage | Sweden |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | Chile |
| 1966 | Did not qualify | England |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1974 | Group stage | West Germany |
| 1978 | Group stage | Argentina |
| 1982 | Group stage | Spain |
| 1986 | Group stage | Mexico |
| 1990 | Group stage | Italy |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | United States |
| 1998 | Group stage | France |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Germany |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | South Africa |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Brazil |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Russia |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Qatar |
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Scotland World Cup schedule
Scotland's schedule for the 2026 tournament will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the 12 groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. On Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. Local time (ET).