Scotland's World Cup Squad Dilemmas: The Key Selection Questions Facing Steve Clarke
Steve Clarke is set to name his Scotland World Cup squad on Tuesday. Here are the biggest selection headaches the manager must solve before the plane departs.
Scotland's World Cup Squad: What Decisions Does Steve Clarke Face?
Tuesday marks a landmark moment for Scottish football. Head coach Steve Clarke will officially announce his squad for the 2026 World Cup — the tournament that ended a painful 28-year wait for Scotland on the global stage. Only 26 players will earn a coveted spot, and while Clarke has largely relied on a consistent core throughout his nearly seven-year tenure, a handful of genuinely difficult selection calls remain unresolved.
Here is a breakdown of the most pressing questions Clarke must answer before finalizing his roster.
Stewart vs. McBurnie: Who Leads the Line?
Perhaps the most debated topic among the Tartan Army right now centers on two strikers who simply refuse to be ignored.
Ross Stewart, the Southampton forward, has been in outstanding form heading into the business end of the season. Despite losing a significant portion of the campaign to a hamstring injury, he has scored five goals in his last ten appearances — including a crucial strike in Southampton's Championship play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough. The 29-year-old, who last represented Scotland in 2022 and holds just two international caps, is arguably playing the best football of his career at the right moment.
Oli McBurnie has made an equally compelling case for inclusion. The Hull City striker has been prolific throughout the season, notching 18 goals in 41 appearances for the Tigers. His determination to force his way back into the international picture was underlined when he personally called Clarke to ask why he had been overlooked — a bold move that speaks to his hunger and self-belief.
Both men's chances have been boosted by the unfortunate injury suffered by Tommy Conway. The 22-year-old Middlesbrough forward was forced off in tears during the 73rd minute of his side's defeat to Southampton last week, and though his club has not confirmed the severity of the setback, widespread expectation suggests he will miss out on the tournament entirely.
Could Findlay Curtis Be Scotland's Wildcard?
Another player who stands to benefit from Conway's misfortune is teenage winger Findlay Curtis. The 19-year-old Kilmarnock forward was named in Scotland's most recent squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, making his debut as a substitute in the former, but his place looked uncertain at the time.
Since then, Curtis has turned heads with four goals in five post-split appearances for Neil McCann's side, producing performances that have resonated well beyond Ayrshire. Crucially, he has impressed on occasions when Clarke himself has been in attendance at Rugby Park.
The excitement surrounding the youngster has spread to the punditry community. Former Livingston manager Marvin Bartley declared that Curtis "definitely" should be included because "Scotland need him." Former Hibernian midfielder Scott Allan echoed that view, noting: "It's very early in his career to be going to a World Cup, but we just don't have enough players throughout the squad who can come on and influence a game with that sort of pace and directness. He is someone who can get you up the pitch."
The Craig Gordon Saga: Can Scotland's Veteran Goalkeeper Make It?
The goalkeeper situation heading into this tournament is equally compelling. When Clarke omitted Craig Gordon from his Euro 2024 squad, many assumed it signaled the end of the veteran stopper's international career. Gordon, however, had other ideas.
The experienced Hearts goalkeeper returned to the Scotland setup just five months after missing the tournament in Germany, playing a pivotal role in the qualification campaign for this World Cup. His commanding performances — including crucial saves in the defeat to Greece and a memorable outing against Denmark — demonstrated that he still had plenty to offer at the highest level.
However, a shoulder injury sustained earlier this year, just weeks after producing what many considered the save of the season during a Hearts league match away at Dundee, has kept him sidelined since late January. Should he make this squad, Gordon would become the second-oldest player ever to feature at a World Cup at the age of 43 and five months.
His primary backup, Scott Bain, was called into the last camp and performed capably in the half he played against Ivory Coast in Liverpool. However, Bain himself then suffered an ankle injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Dunfermline and notably missed Falkirk's final league fixture of the season — casting doubt over his own availability.
Gordon has since returned to training with Hearts and is expected to do everything in his power to prove his fitness before Tuesday's announcement.
Could Dominic Hyam Finally Nail Down a Spot?
In the defensive ranks, Dominic Hyam has been a squad peripheral for several years without ever truly cementing his place. That may be about to change. The 30-year-old made his first competitive start for Scotland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last month, delivering a composed and assured display in central defence that impressed many observers.
With a potential injury concern surrounding established centre-back Grant Hanley, the door may well be open for Hyam to finally secure his seat on the plane to the United States.
All will be revealed when Clarke makes his announcement on Tuesday. The competition for places is fierce, the stakes are enormous, and for many of these players, this may represent the defining opportunity of their careers.
