All SPFL Players at the FIFA World Cup 2026

Twenty-one players who played in Scotland last season will be at this summer’s World Cup, representing thirteen different nations. Scotland unsurprisingly have the lion’s share of SPFL players with eight, as the Tartan Army are set to travel in their thousands to witness their country play at the World Cup for the first time since 1998. GROUP A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia Only one Scottish league player makes the plane for a Group A nation and that is Hyun-jun Yang of Celtic. The 24-year-old, who has been capped by South Korea eight times already and will be joined by former club teammate Hyeon-gyu Oh, was named as the champion’s Young Player of the Year after notching 10 goals and 3 assists. Celtic loanee Julian Araujo made Mexico’s provisional squad, but misses out with an injury. GROUP B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland Celtic’s Alistair Johnston and Rangers on-loan defender Derek Cornelius make Jesse Marsch’s Canadian squad for the tournament. Johnston signed for Celtic on the back of an impressive showing in Qatar in 2022, whilst Cornelius did not feature for Rangers since November following an injury and reported fallout with Danny Rohl. Former Ibrox pair Nikola Katic and Cedric Itten will travel over with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Switzerland respectively, and Johnston and Cornelius will be joined by Liam Millar, who had a loan spell with Kilmarnock before covid. GROUP C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Only Scotland have SPFL representation from this group, with Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Findlay Curtis, and Lawrence Shankland making Steve Clarke’s final cut. Ex-Celtic hero Odsonne Edouard declined the opportunity to play for Haiti after a remarkable return in his debut season at RC Lens in Ligue 1, whilst Lille summer signing from Rangers Hamza Igamane had his season ended prematurely at AFCON with Morocco. GROUP D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye America’s Austin Trusty of Celtic and Australia’s Cammy Devlin of Hearts will face off against each other potentially for the first time since the dramatic climax to the Premiership campaign which seen Trusty’s side snatch the title from Hearts’ grasp. Trusty will be joined by former Celtic and Rangers loanees Timothy Weah and Malik Tillman, whilst Devlin will be accompanied by a plethora of former SPFL talents, such as Tete Yengi, Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar (brother of Scotland’s John), Aziz Behich, and also Scottish born defender Cameron Burgess. Hibs’ forward Martin Boyle was a late removal from the final squad. GROUP E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador There are no active players from the SPFL in this group, but Curacao are managed by ex-Rangers gaffer Dick Advocaat, and his squad includes Juninho Bacuna, who had a quiet six months in Govan during the 21/22 campaign. Ivory Coast will have Amad Diallo at their disposal, who was on loan at Rangers in 2022 when they made the Europa League final. GROUP F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia Celtic teammates Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti will face off against each other when Sweden go head to head with Tunisia in the opening round of fixtures, before both come up against a Japan side with fellow club teammate Daizen Maeda amongst its stars. Three former Parkhead centre backs also feature in this group, with Gustaf Lagerbielke and Carl Starfelt potentially pairing beside each other for Sweden, and the Netherlands will have Virgil Van Dijk at the back captaining their side. GROUP G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin will come up against Motherwell starlet Elijah Just will face each other when Belgium take on New Zealand. Raskin makes the Belgian squad for his first international tournament after making his debut in March last year, as does Just despite amassing over 40 caps for New Zealand already. GROUP H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay No SPFL players make will appear in Group H. Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic did not make Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad, though he did captain them on his return from the international wilderness in a 1-0 friendly win over Dominican Republic in October last year.  GROUP I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard will be in Norway’s camp for the summer with former Celtic centre-back Kristoffer Ajer. Dundee United’s Dario Naamo had been named in Iraq’s provisional squad after switching his allegiance from Finland, but was cut from the final selection.  GROUP J: Argentina, Jordan, Algeria, Austria There is no link to the Scottish game in this group besides former St. Mirren trialist and Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez who fled the country whilst on Paisley because it was too cold. Mahrez’s teammate Fares Ghedjemis is also in squad, after a move to Celtic failed to materialise in January.  GROUP K: Portugal, DR Congo, Colombia, Uzbekistan Kilmarnock’s Aaron Tshibola is in line to play against Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the DR Congo setup. The 31-year-old resigned for Killie in February for a third time, and played 14 times as Neil McCann’s men secured their Premiership status for another season.  GROUP L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama Another group with no direct links to the SPFL, although the England squad does include three players who were once upon a time eligible for the Scotland squad – Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and of course Elliot Anderson who was named in one of Steve Clarke’s squads in 2023, before pulling out due to injury. 

“It is Testament to How Far This Team Has Come” – McKenna Praises Scottish Togetherness Factor

Scotland defender Scott McKenna hailed the unity of the current crop of players within the national setup as a big factor in the squad’s qualification for the World Cup. The 29-year-old played the first half of his nation’s 4-1 home win over Curacao, making him one cap shy of his 50th. Having made his debut amongst inexperienced internationalists in 2018, McKenna feels the creation of a team has been paramount to Scotland’s qualifiers success. He said: “When we went to Peru and Mexico [in 2018], we were the team playing in a send off for them, and when we were playing Mexico, I think between the starting 11 we had less than 30 caps. “And I think now, we’d struggle to find anyone in our starting 11 with less than 30 caps, so it’s a sign of how far this team’s coming in terms of togetherness. The gaffer [Steve Clarke] has also been very loyal to us, trying to build that squad feeling. “The group has really grown since then [Mexico], in terms of getting that winning mentality, finding a way to win. Even during this last qualifying campaign, we were terrible in games, [such as] Belarus at home. “They are the sort of games in the past we might not have won but we managed to grind through it and find a way to win. So yeah, it is testament to how far this team has come.” McKenna, who was part of both squads for the 2021 and 2024 European Championships, believes that this summer is a perfect platform to erase the disappointments from those campaigns and progress from the group stage. “Of course we can [qualify], of course we can. But that is the test that everyone is setting us just now, we need to try and rise to that challenge. “I don’t think there is any doubt in that at all [that the squad could have given a better account of themselves at previous tournaments]. “I think the start to the last campaign made it difficult, a point to Switzerland gave ourselves a chance, and then the last day we just didn’t quite do enough to give ourselves any chances really. “But we’re going there to definitely try do better.” The Dinamo Zagreb defender, who comes into this tournament off the back of a Croatian league and cup double, also feels that the Croatian culture towards football has helped the nation develop into a one of Europe’s most competitive sides, despite having a similar population pool to Scotland. “In Croatia, certainly Dinamo, they just keep bringing players through the academy. “The conveyer belt they keep producing, there’s no club in Scotland that has produced anything like that, and I think population wise, we’re much the same. “Maybe [it is] a culture thing as well? But yeah, hopefully I can go into the academy, watch a few sessions and see what their process is because they definitely know how to do it properly.”

“I Think He Can” – McLean Backs Shankland to Make Number 9 Jersey His Own

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean believes Lawrence Shankland has what it takes to be the main man for the country at this summer’s World Cup. The 30-year-old scored twice in Scotland’s 4-1 win over Curacao at Barclays Hampden, with new club teammate at Rangers Findlay Curtis and Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie scoring either side of his double. And Norwich player of the season McLean feels the striker has staked his claim to lead the Scottish line in America. McLean said: “I think he can [be Scotland’s starting striker]. “Again he showed a clinic in finishing, that’s what he’s always done no matter where he’s been. “He was at a level where he was way better than for a long time, he’s now done really well at Hearts, got his move to Rangers. “I think he’s got so much more to give again, I think he’ll improve again. He’s so much more than goals but that’s what you want from a striker. It’s obviously great for his confidence, which helps us.” The pair played together at Aberdeen and despite Shankland never netting in the Granite City, McLean could see glimpses of the striker he has became back then. “He was similar to what he is [now], he’s always been what he is. “I think people would have saw him at Ayr and Dundee United and stuff like that, he’s always been that player, so you know what you’re getting from Lawrence and that’s going to be between the sticks. “I think over the last couple of years he has brought so much more to his game, and he has obviously with Hearts dropped into the ten and played with [Claudio] Braga. “He links the team so well, and again it’s something else that the manager can look at, to play him with somebody else, but between the sticks he’s ruthless, and that’s what you want from a striker.” Manager Steve Clarke signed a four-year contract extension with Scotland before the friendly with Curacao, and McLean is delighted that any speculation surrounding his future in the summer has been put to bed. “I think in every interview you see from the players, you know exactly what we think of the manager. We’ve been together a long time, we’ve achieved a lot. “Over the moon for him to still be here for that length of time, but it’s not been spoken out really within the squad. We’re just happy that he’s here for now, we knew he was going to be here for the summer, that was the main focus. “Obviously to get that sorted, it’s amazing for everybody because as I said, everybody’s got the same opinion on the manager, I’m sure.” The Scotland squad jetted off to the USA today ahead of their final pre-tournament friendly against Bolivia on Saturday, before kicking-off the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years against Haiti at 2am UK time on June 14th.

Scotland 4-1 Curacao: Scotland Leave Curacao in Some State Ahead of USA Adventure

Scotland kicked-off their World Cup preparations with a more than convincing 4-1 victory over Dick Advocaat’s Curacao at Barclays Hampden.  Tahith Chong gave the the tournament minnows a shock lead, but three unanswered goals after Jurgen Locadia’s sending off from Rangers’ double Findlay Curtis and Lawrence Shankland followed by a Ryan Christie spot kick gave Scotland a first friendly home win in over ten years. The smallest nation at this summer’s World Cup took a surprising lead on the 17th minute through former Manchester United winger Tahith Chong. Scott McKenna had been sucked out of position by a long ball, allowing Chong to drive forward, chop onto his stronger left foot and steer the ball home at the near post. George Hirst came closest to a Scottish equaliser when he leaped to meet a Kenny McLean cross, but his powerful effort was stopped from creeping into the bottom corner. Curacao would be reduced to 10 men eight minutes before half-time when ex-Brighton striker Jurgen Locadia’s yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR review. The 32-year-old elbowed Aaron Hickey in the face. Scotland made the man advantage count and went into the interval on level terms thanks to Findlay Curtis, who came off the bench five minutes prior for the injured Billy Gilmour. McLean slipped in the former Kilmarnock loanee, who rolled the ball home with his left boot for a first Scotland goal in only his second appearance for the national side. Tyler Fletcher, son of Scotland legend Darren, came off the bench at half-time to make his Scotland debut as one of five Steve Clarke substitutions at the break.  Ryan Christie’s volley at the edge of the box was the first warning shot that Scotland were hunting a breakthrough just over ten minutes into the second period, which was stung away by Eloy Room after the Bournemouth man was superbly setup by Lawrence Shankland.  And Christie would turn provider for the new Rangers forward a couple of minutes later, putting in a low pass from a corner routine for Shankland to wrap his right foot around and curl into the back of the net and make it 2-1 for the home side, and net his fifth goal in a Scottish jersey.  Five goals for Scotland would be six only five minutes later when the 30-year-old was played through excellently by strike partner Lyndon Dykes, taking one touch and clipping a bouncing ball of the inside of the post to give Steve Clarke’s men a two-goal cushion.  The second-half striking duo played an acrobatic one-two not long after the second which put Shankland through on goal for a hat-trick, but the former Hearts captain’s effort was rushed and tame.  Jurien Gaari’s challenge on Findlay Curtis inside the box with ten minutes to play gave Christie the opportunity for his tenth Scotland goal from the penalty spot. The 31-year-old dully obliged, calmly slotting the ball down the middle to make it 4-1. The result marks the first time Scotland have won a friendly at home since defeating Denmark 1-0 all the way back in March 2016.  Curacao have one more friendly against Aruba ahead of their World Cup opener with 2014 winners Germany on June 14th. As for Scotland, they face Bolivia in New Jersey next Saturday to finalise their preparations for Haiti which kicks off June 14th at 2am UK time.  SCOTLAND: Gordon 5 (Kelly 77′ 2), Robertson 6 (Ralston 77′ 1), McKenna 3 (Hyam 46’ 4), Souttar 3 (Hanley 46’ 4), Hickey 3 (Patterson 46’ 3), McLean 8, Gilmour 3 (Curtis 42’ 7), Christie 7, Gannon-Doak 3 (Fletcher 46’4), Hirst 2 (Dykes 46’ 5), Shankland 9 (Wilson 77′ 1) Curacao: Room 4, Fonville 4, Obispo 4, Bazoer 2 (Kastaneer 46’ 3), Gaari 4, Floranus 5, Bacuna 3 (Roemeratoe 55’ 2), Bacuna 3 (Antonisse 61′ 2), Comenencia 3 (Noslin 61′ 1), Chong 6, Locadia 1

Kasper Schmeichel Announces Retirement From Football

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schemichel will retire from professional football when his Parkhead contract expires this summer. The 39-year-old has been out since March with a shoulder injury which developed into a more serious issue, requiring multiple surgeries. The Danish international played his last game in a 2-1 home defeat to Hibs, and will hang up the gloves after a 20-year career which seen him play at 12 different clubs, and represent his national side 120 times. His official statement reads: “A shoulder injury is forcing me to end my playing career when my contract with Celtic expires this summer. “I’ve been told by doctors that the chances of me ever playing football at the highest level are now extremely small. “I never wanted my career to end because I couldn’t fight anymore. Unfortunately, the injury has made that decision for me.” Schmeichel goes on to thank the fans and clubs he played for, which are Manchester City, Darlington, Falkirk, Cardiff, Coventry, Notts County, Leeds, Leicester City, Nice, Anderlecht and Celtic, and also said that captaining Denmark at a World Cup and European Championship was the ‘greatest honour’ of his career. Schmeichel collected was part of a squad which won four domestic honours in his time in Glasgow, and was the Leicester number one when they won both the Premier League in 2016 and the F.A Cup in 2021.

Rangers Complete Signing of Lawrence Shankland From Hearts

Rangers have completed the signing of Lawrence Shankland from Heart of Midlothian on a 2 year deal. The Scotland international arrives at Ibrox following a highly productive spell at Hearts, where he established himself as one of the Scottish Premiership’s most consistent goalscorers and captained the club during a strong period domestically and in Europe. Shankland leaves Tynecastle after scoring 88 goals in 171 appearances across all competitions since joining the Edinburgh club in 2022. During the 2025–26 campaign, the striker scored 20 goals and contributed six assists in 34 appearances as Hearts challenged near the top of the Premiership table. The 30-year-old now joins Rangers with substantial experience in Scottish football, having previously played for Queen’s Park, Aberdeen, St Mirren, Greenock Morton, Ayr United and Dundee United before a spell in Belgium with Beerschot and his move to Hearts. Rangers have signed the striker who has a proven domestic scoring record and extensive Premiership experience. Shankland is recognised for his movement inside the penalty area, efficient finishing with both feet and ability to convert chances consistently at top flight level. In addition to his attacking output Shankland captained Hearts throughout the 2025–26 season and consistently produced goals and opportunities throughout in high pressure league and cup fixtures. His familiarity with Scottish football is expected to allow for immediate integration into the Rangers squad ahead of the new campaign.

Celtic Opt Against Permanent Saracchi Stay

Celtic have reportedly decided not to offer Boca Juniors a permanent offer for on-loan left-back Marcelo Saracchi. The Uruguayan international made 27 appearances across all competitions for the Premiership winners, scoring once and assisting twice. However, Argentinian journalist Seba Ongarelli, who currently resides in Glasgow, spoke with the 28-year-old’s agent, revealed he had already returned to Buenos Aires. Ongarelli posted on X: “Spoke with Saracchi’s agent. “He flew back to Argentina yesterday and he’ll join Boca Jrs back (season’s over now). “Although he really enjoyed his short time at Celtic and loves the fans, the club never offered him a permanent transfer deal.” This decision has raised eyebrows amongst the Celtic support, provided how quickly Saracchi blossomed into a fan favourite. It leaves Kieran Tierney as the club’s only recognised left-back, meaning an alternative fullback will likely be signed this summer than the departing Saracchi.

“We Didn’t Deserve That” – Hearts Hero Lifts Lid on ‘Worst Day of His Career’

Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin says the final day of the Scottish Premiership was ‘unjust’ and the ‘worst day of his career’ after the Edinburgh side were pipped to a historic title away to Celtic in the dying minutes. Captain Lawrence Shankland, who is reportedly close to a move to boyhood club Rangers, gave the then leaders a 1-0 advantage in the latter stages of the first half, but it was cancelled out in added time of the same period by an Arne Engels penalty. With a draw still being enough for Hearts, they found themselves off top-spot for the first time since October when Daizen Maeda gave Celtic the lead, before Callum Osmand delivered the killer blow, running through on an open goal after Devlin’s effort from range was intercepted by Iheanacho and goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow had came up for a set-play. And the Australia international spoke on the anguish this has caused for the first time since Celtic lifted the trophy at Parkhead. “It was probably one of the worst days of my career, well it was the worst day of my career, in terms of just how disappointing it was” Devlin told official Socceroos channels. “Unjust is probably a word, we didn’t deserve that and how it ended, and everything.” The 27-year-old has made the Australia squad for this summer’s World Cup, and he believes being thrown into the setup so soon after the defeat is the best thing for him. “On a positive side, the best thing for me is that I’m lucky enough to come straight into a camp representing my country. That can change your mindset straight away, and you have no choice but to get back and perform at your highest level. “That’s been something really good. I feel so lucky I have that opportunity. I feel like if I didn’t have that and went on holiday or back home, it would be really bearing on my mind every minute because of how disappointing it was. “So lucky to get this opportunity. There’s no bigger carrot at the end of this, so to come in here and have something else to focus on is really good.” Devlin, who is in the Australia setup alongside Hibernian rivals Martin Boyle and Ante Suto, makes the squad for the second World Cup in a row, and says there is nothing better to try remedy the season gone by.  “It was really tough the first couple of days, just because of how it all happened. Still, there are so many thoughts of what could’ve been different, what should’ve been different. “I know that’s a lot of feeling with the boys around Hearts, and everyone around the place. A really undeserving finish to an amazing season with such a special club. Everything we did and achieved was incredible. “Still, not over what happened. But to have this shirt on, and get the chance to train, represent my country, and hopefully at the end of it, go to a World Cup. “There’s no better thing to look forward to.” Australia take on Mexico in a pre-World Cup friendly, where they will face Switzerland, Turkiye and hosts USA in Group D.

“We Believe 100% That We Can Do It” – Tony Watt on Premiership Promotion Push

Partick Thistle striker Tony Watt has faith that he and his teammates will secure promotion to the Premiership on Monday night. The Maryhill club drew with St. Mirren 1-1 at Firhill in the first leg of the Premiership playoff, and go into the second leg on level terms thanks to a fantastic assist provided by Watt for Aidan Fitzpatrick’s equaliser. And the 32-year-old has taken belief from his side’s spirited second half performance that they can make Partick Thistle a Premiership team for the first time since 2018. “Yeah absolutely, we believe 100% that we can do it and I bet St. Mirren are the same.” Watt said post-match. “We showed a good account of ourselves second half, we changed the shape, we got a bit more control of the game and we’ve got 11 boys in the pitch, we’ve got a lot on the bench and we’ve got a coaching staff that know the game and can change it. “We were probably against the tide a wee bit in the first half and we changed it at half-time and I thought we were a better team second half.” Watt, who had a loan spell at St. Mirren in 2023, joined Mark Wilson’s side last summer and says that conversations with him from when he first signed gave him assurance that a promotion push was manageable. “I genuinely thought we could go and win the league when I was having conversations with the manager about signing. “I seen the squad and I knew he was going to sign and I know his budget was small but I knew he was going to work on a lot of stuff but nobody really gave us a chance. “Everybody kind of predicted us fifth, sixth, maybe even seventh, I think with all the turmoil behind the scenes at the club, and I think everybody’s chipped in, including the cup runs, including the league, including everything to help the club get to a better place. “Long may it continue, it’s a fantastic club, it deserves to be in a good place.” The former Scotland international has won the Premiership with Celtic and the Championship with Dundee United, but says earning promotion with Thistle could surpass both of those achievements. “I genuinely think number one, I think it would be probably the pinnacle. “I won the league at Celtic, who were my boyhood club, but Celtic were going to win the league that year, without me they’d have won it. “Dundee United was massive, I loved that, we were probably expected to win it but this year the expectation’s been on everybody else and we probably weren’t even tipped to be in the play-offs, “So look, it’s a straight shootout on Monday and we put ourselves in the race and it would probably be number one.”

“I Thought I Was a Bit of a Roy Keane, But Now I’m Turning Into Robbie!” – Phillips on Forward Deployment

St. Mirren’s Killian Phillips is embracing being deployed as a striker after scoring his side’s only goal in a 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership relegation playoff. The Irish international, who normally plays in centre midfield, has scored two in his last two appearances, which has seen him used as an attacker in both. And the 24-year-old joked that he has began transitioning from one Irish Keane to another. “It’s the business end of the season where anything goes, and look if it’s going to help the team I’ll play anywhere” Phillips said on the decision to play him up front. “It’s probably something that he [Craig McLeish] noticed in training. I don’t mind, I grew up playing football on the roads, so I think I can play anywhere on the pitch, and I think I’ve shown that. “I thought I was a bit of a Roy Keane, but now I’m turning into Robbie a little bit! My celebration isn’t as good!” Phillips scored the opener in the first half with a composed outside of the boot finish, but it would be cancelled out by an Aidan Fitzpatrick tap-in on the hour mark. The former Crystal Palace man however did not underestimate the challenge of the side in the division below. “They’re a very good side, they’re unbeaten at home, so we know how much of a fortress this is for them. “It’s level again, coming into our gaff, and I’m sure they’ll [St. Mirren fans] will be bouncing. “I think both sets of fans were unbelievable, it was rocking. They have a great set of fans here and it was bouncing, and I’m sure the SMISA will be bouncing next week. “I think we need to start well, I think that’s very important. We need to probably control the game a little bit more at times as well. “They’ll have spells where they’re on top and I think we need to nullify that. Tonight we probably didn’t do that as well as we’ve done through the season.” St. Mirren host Partick Thistle in the return leg this Monday night as Partick Thistle aim to redeem their playoff heartache of 2023.