Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off in September as they aim to reach the finals for the first time in almost 30 years.
Steve Clarke may have ended the nation’s long wait for a major tournament by reaching two consecutive European Championships but we haven’t seen a World Cup qualification since 1998.
Improved fortunes over recent years, and those two Euros finals, means we are now probably the best placed we have been in that time.
The Tartan Army would love to be in the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026 and the road to the finals begins later this year against an as yet unnamed opposition.
Scotland were drawn against Greece, Belarus and a yet-to-be-decided Pot One side.
It has now been confirmed two warm-up matches will be played ahead of the opener.
Scotland announce friendly double-header
The SFA have announced two friendlies, to be played in June, to act as warm-ups for the qualifying campaign.
First up will be Iceland at Hampden on Friday June 6 with a 7.45pm kick-off, and then a trip to take on Liechtenstein the following Monday evening.
With just three months between those games and the World Cup qualification starting, Clarke will get the final chance to look at certain players and systems.
The following are key dates to note for ticket sales.
- Tuesday, 4 February 2025 – Exclusive window for renewing Scotland Supporters Club members five-match package sales begin (Nations League Play-Off home fixture, three home World Cup 2026 qualifiers & June friendly match at Hampden).
- Thursday, 6 February 2025 – New Scotland Supporters Club membership sales open to general public (subject to availability).
- Tuesday, 11 February 2025 – Single-match tickets available to purchase for Scotland Supporters Club members.
- Tuesday, 18 February 2025 – Single-match tickets go on general sale to non-members (subject to availability).
Scotland to face Greece in Nations League
There is actually have a pair of important matches before the newly announced games as Scotland face Greece in the Nations League play-off in March.
A victory over two legs would mean we stay in League A of the Nations League, whereas defeat would obviously mean relegation.
After the draw, Steve Clarke said: “Greece have shown in the Nations League campaign that they are a quality team. These will be really competitive games in March but ones we will look forward to ahead of our World Cup qualifying.”
“We had a strong ending to our Nations League campaign, with positive results against teams established at the top level.
“The challenge now will be to continue the momentum we built in the autumn into this play-off tie and our World Cup qualification campaign next year.”