Scotland arrive at the 2026 World Cup for the ninth time, ending a 28 year absence that stretched back to France 1998. They have never won the tournament and have never advanced past the group stage, yet their history carries a particular sting: in 1974 they went unbeaten, drawing with Brazil and Yugoslavia and beating Zaire two goals to nil, and still went home on goal difference. The same fate struck in 1978 and 1982. Scotland are, by some margin, the nation with the most World Cup appearances and no round of 16 to show for any of them.

Scotland claimed their place at the 2026 tournament by winning UEFA Group C, a four team round robin played from September to November 2025. Going into the final matchday they needed a victory over Denmark at Hampden Park, and they delivered one of the most dramatic nights in recent Scottish football. Scott McTominay put them ahead in the third minute with a bicycle kick, Denmark twice equalised before Rasmus Kristensen was sent off in the 62nd minute. Lawrence Shankland restored the lead, then Kieran Tierney struck in the 87th minute and Kenny McLean chipped the goalkeeper from distance in the 90th minute plus eight to seal a four goals to two win and send Scotland to their first World Cup in a generation.