18 May,2026
2 days ago
Could Ross Stewart, Findlay Curtis or Craig Gordon be heading to the USA? This is it. On Tuesday, Scotland head coach Steve Clarke will announce his World Cup squad. It's the one everyone wants to be part of, the one many missed during the nation’s 28-year absence from the biggest stage, and only 26 players will join.
During Clarke’s nearly seven-year reign, supporters have grown to expect fierce loyalty and limited changes, but some tough choices remain for seats on the plane to the United States of America. BBC Sport Scotland examines key questions Clarke might be considering.
What is Scotland's most iconic goal? This time - McFadden v McTominay Isidor and Bellegarde in Haiti. World Cup 2026: Every nation's squad is being announced.
The name Ross Stewart is not fading away, and for good reason. The Southampton forward has had a fantastic 2026 after missing a significant part of the first half of the season due to a hamstring injury. With five goals in his last 10 matches, including a key strike in the Championship promotion play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough, the 29-year-old is in great form.
The two-cap striker - who last played for Scotland in 2022 - is looking forward to the play-off final, where he will face off against another World Cup hopeful, Oli McBurnie. Similar to Stewart, the Hull City frontman has had a productive campaign with 18 goals in 41 appearances for the Tigers. He is also confident in his abilities and even contacted Clarke last month to ask about the reasons for his absence from the international set-up.
The two in-form players have dominated discussions among The Tartan Army, and their cases have strengthened given an unfortunate injury to Tommy Conway. The 22-year-old limped off in tears in the 73rd minute of last Tuesday's defeat to Stewart's Saints, and though his club has not disclosed the details of his injury, there is a strong belief he will miss out.
Another player who could benefit from Conway's misfortune is Findlay Curtis. He was named in the last squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, making his debut off the bench in the former. The 19-year-old was somewhat peripheral but has surely thrust himself into the spotlight with sensational post-split form at Kilmarnock, scoring four goals in five games for Neil McCann's side.
He has captured the imagination of fans beyond Ayrshire and stood out when Clarke has attended matches at Rugby Park. Former Livingston boss Marvin Bartley stated that the teenager