After 28 years of waiting, the Tartan Army can follow their boys as they head over the pond to take part in the 2026 World Cup.
They qualified in the most dramatic style at Hampden Park when they overcame Denmark 4-2, and now look to make their mark on this upcoming tournament. This will be Scotland’s ninth appearance at the World Cup, and they are hoping that, for the first time, they will be able to make it out of the group stages.
In this article, we look at Scotland’s history in the World Cup with many moments of near misses and heartache.
The 1950s
Scotland first qualified for the World Cup in 1950. To qualify, home nation teams had to finish first or second in the British Home Championship, but despite finishing second, Scotland withdrew, as prior to the tournament, the SFA announced that Scotland would only attend the finals if they won the competition.
So despite qualifying in 1950, Scotland first attended the 1954 World Cup, which they qualified for by finishing second again in the British Home Championship of 1953/54. Yet, this is again a tale of woe as the 1954 tournament was nothing less than atrocious for the Scots.
Only 13 players were sent to the finals in Switzerland by the SFA (22-man squads were allowed); they lost both their games, manager Andy Beattie resigned hours before the second game against Uruguay, and that match ended up a 7-0 drubbing.
Their second appearance at the finals was in 1958, where they were supposed to be managed by Manchester United manager Matt Busby. He sadly had to pull out after the injuries he suffered in the Munich air disaster and was replaced by Dawson Walker. Scotland achieved their first point of the FIFA World Cup when they drew against Yugoslavia in the first game. They still exited in the group stage, losing their next two games to Paraguay and France.
The Golden Era (1974–1990)
Between 1974 and 1990, Scotland weren't just participants; they were fixtures of world football. In 16 years, the national team qualified for five consecutive World Cups, in an era which was arguably their golden period on the world stage.
In 1974, Scotland achieved a feat no other team managed that year, including the winners. They remained undefeated across the group stages, beating Zaire 2-0, before drawing 0-0 with Brazil and 1-1 with Yugoslavia.
However, Scotland’s goal difference left them in third place, and they flew home as the tournament's only unbeaten side. They were the first team to do this, and it has since been replicated by Cameroon in 1982, Belgium in 1998, and New Zealand in 2010.
The 1978 campaign in Argentina is perhaps the most famous in Scottish history. Arriving with immense hype under manager Ally MacLeod, the tournament started in disaster with a loss to Peru and a draw with Iran.
Needing a three-goal win against the mighty Netherlands to progress, Archie Gemmill produced one of the greatest goals in World Cup history - a mazy, solo run that slalomed through the Dutch defence. Scotland won 3-2, but again, they fell short of the margin needed to advance.
The 1980 World Cup had shades of 1974, when the Scots were eliminated on goal difference after being drawn into a tough group with New Zealand, Brazil, and the Soviet Union. In 1986, in a similarly difficult group, and the guidance of Alex Ferguson (following the tragic passing of Jock Stein), Scotland exited the tournament with just a point to their name.
Scotland’s fifth consecutive World Cup in 1990 was dramatic to say the least. Drawn in a group with Costa Rica, Sweden, and familiar foes Brazil, Scotland went into the last game with three points, having lost to Costa Rica and beaten Sweden. It was a big ask to get a result against Brazil, but a fumbled save by goalkeeper Jim Leighton saw Brazil score in the 82nd minute and win 1-0. A 0-0 draw would have been enough to see them through to the knockouts as one of the best third-placed teams.
After missing 1994, 1998 saw Scotland face Brazil in the group stage again and lose because of a Tom Boyd own goal. A draw against Norway and a loss to Morocco saw them exit at the group stages again with only a point.
28 years of hurt
After the final whistle in Saint-Étienne in 1998, few could have predicted that Scotland would wait nearly three decades to return to football’s greatest stage. That wait officially ended on November 18, 2025, on a night at Hampden Park that will be talked about for generations.
Under Steve Clarke and with a squad consisting of amazing players like Scott McTominay, Andrew Robertson and John McGinn, there is full belief in the Tartan Army that this could be the year that Scotland progresses out of the group stages. In their way are, yet again, Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
FAQ
How many times have Scotland qualified for the FIFA World Cup?
This is the ninth time they have qualified.
Have Scotland ever made it past the group stage?
No.
Who is Scotland’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup finals?
Joe Jordan scored four goals.
Why did Scotland withdraw from the 1950 World Cup?
Because the SFA said Scotland would only compete if they finished first in the 1953/54 British Home Championship, despite the top two teams in that competition qualifying for the World Cup. Scotland finished second.
What is Scotland’s biggest win and loss in World Cup history?
The biggest win is the 2-0 win over Zaire in 1974, and the biggest loss is 7-0 in 1954 to Uruguay.
Who has the most World Cup appearances for Scotland?
Jim Leighton appeared in nine matches.