Scotland are at a World Cup. Let that sink in for a moment. For a nation that has had its heart broken so many times by qualification campaigns that fell just short, the 2026 tournament in North America represents the culmination of years of quiet, determined progress under Steve Clarke.
Clarke has built something real with this Scotland side — a squad with character, organisation and, crucially, players who understand their roles. But heading into the tournament, there are five genuinely interesting selection questions that could define how far Scotland go.
Who Starts Alongside McTominay?
Scott McTominay is the unquestioned heartbeat of Scotland's midfield. He drives forward, he scores big goals and he brings an intensity that sets the tone for the whole team. The question is who partners him — a more disciplined holding presence, or another energetic box-to-box runner? Clarke has options, and the balance he strikes will shape how Scotland control games in the group stage.
The Right-Back Dilemma
Scotland's right-back position has been a source of debate for much of the Clarke era. The manager has rotated there with purpose, testing different profiles depending on the opposition. Against Haiti in their opener on June 14, the attacking threat down that flank could be a key weapon. Against Morocco and Brazil, the defensive qualities will matter just as much.
Who Leads the Line?
Scotland's striker options heading into the tournament are a topic of lively debate among fans. Lawrence Shankland, a consistent scorer at club level, makes the case for himself through goals alone. But Clarke has sometimes preferred a different profile up top — someone to hold the ball up under pressure and bring others into play. The choice against Haiti will tell us a lot about the tactical blueprint for the group stage.
Can Scotland Handle Brazil?
Of Scotland's three group opponents — Haiti, Morocco and Brazil — it is the last one that has every Scottish fan nervous and excited in equal measure. A match against Brazil at a World Cup is the stuff of dreams. Clarke will have to be tactically brave: sitting deep and absorbing pressure, then hitting on the counter, is likely to be the starting point. Whether Scotland can execute it under the weight of the occasion is the real question.
The Gilmour Question
Billy Gilmour's tournament was ended by injury before it began, which is a brutal blow both for the player and for Scotland's midfield options. His absence changes the texture of what Clarke can do in possession, and finding a way to cover that quality in tight, technical games will be one of the coaching staff's biggest tasks.
Scotland go into this World Cup as underdogs in two of their three group games. But Clarke has made a career out of exceeding expectations. June 14 cannot come soon enough.
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