Scotland national football team named its 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday, with 43-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon becoming one of the biggest talking points in the team selection.
Scotland coach Steve Clarke included Gordon in the squad despite the veteran goalkeeper dealing with recent shoulder injuries and making only a few appearances this season.
The upcoming tournament will mark Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
Craig Gordon closes in on World Cup history
If Gordon plays during the tournament in North America, he will become the second-oldest player ever to appear in World Cup history. Only former Essam El Hadary of Egypt national football team was older when he featured at the 2018 World Cup at the age of 45.
Gordon made his Scotland debut back in 2004. Some of his current teammates were not even born at that time. The goalkeeper played three matches in January for Heart of Midlothian F.C., which narrowly missed out on the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic F.C. on Saturday.
Scotland’s goalkeepers played few club matches
Scotland’s three selected goalkeepers played very little football for their clubs during the season. Likely first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn of Nottingham Forest F.C. and Liam Kelly of Rangers F.C. also struggled for regular playing time.
However, Steve Clarke backed all three goalkeepers and said training performances mattered most. “As long as goalkeepers are working to their maximum in training you feel that they can come in and play for a number of games,” Clarke said.
“We got good reports back from Hearts,” the coach added about Gordon. “Craig assures us he’s fully fit. And he deserves to go because he played a part of the qualifying campaign.”
Young attacking talent included
Clarke also selected exciting young players for the tournament. Twenty-year-old Ben Gannon-Doak of AFC Bournemouth brings pace on the wings, while 19-year-old Findlay Curtis earned a place after impressive performances on loan at Kilmarnock F.C. from Rangers.
Lawrence Shankland, captain of Hearts, is expected to lead Scotland’s attack. Scotland opens its World Cup campaign against Haiti national football team in Boston on June 14.
The team will then face Morocco national football team in Boston before taking on Brazil national football team in Miami on June 24. Scotland has never progressed beyond the group stage in its previous eight World Cup appearances.
Strong midfield group with Italian links
Midfielder Scott McTominay of S.S.C. Napoli leads a strong midfield unit that includes several players based in Italy. However, Clarke left out 19-year-old Lennon Miller of Udinese Calcio, despite expectations that he would make the squad.
The Scotland manager admitted the decision was difficult. “I had five very difficult conversations,” Clarke said about players who missed selection after featuring in warm-up matches earlier this year.
“And I think because Lennon is so young, probably the most difficult,” he added.
Experienced defenders and captain Robertson selected
The defensive unit includes John Souttar of Rangers. His younger brother Harry Souttar could also play at the World Cup for Australia national football team. Andy Robertson, the experienced left-back from Liverpool F.C., will captain Scotland at the tournament before leaving the club after the season.