Scotland’s World Cup exit confirmed as Steve Clarke’s side head for home
Steve Clarke’s side mustered three points from nine in Group C.
Scotland’s departure from the 2026 World Cup was confirmed on Saturday night after Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 in Philadelphia.
Steve Clarke’s side mustered three points from nine in Group C, with a minus three goal difference but as expected it was not enough to secure a place among the eight best third-placed teams who move through to the last-32 of the competition.
After losing 3-0 to Brazil in their final group game, the Scots needed a series of results to go in their favour, most of which did not.
By Saturday, Scotland required favourable outcomes in three group fixtures, the first of which was in Group L where Ghana had to beat Croatia by at least three goals.
Had Ghana done Scotland a favour, a draw between DR Congo and Uzbekistan would have suited Scotland in Group K, or an Uzbekistan win by no more than three goals.
If it came down to Group J, Scotland would have needed Austria to beat Algeria by two goals, or Algeria to win by four goals but almost inevitably, it was all academic and the Scots began packing their bags.
Clarke’s squad went through their paces at MLS side Charlotte FC’s training base on Saturday lunchtime before returning to their city centre hotel in the afternoon to await their fate.
Scotland, who have never qualified for the knockout stages of a major competition, began their first World Cup campaign in 28 years with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Caribbean minnows Haiti in the Boston stadium, with midfielder John McGinn scoring the decisive goal.
The Scots, backed in the USA by tens of thousands of Tartan Army, then suffered a 1-0 defeat by AFCON champions Morocco at the same venue after losing a goal in 70 seconds before a sobering and, in parts, self-inflicted loss to five-times winners of the competition, Brazil, in Miami.
Since taking over as boss in 2019, Clarke has guided Scotland to three out of four major finals but like Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, the Scots have faltered at the group stage which has elicited stinging criticism from frustrated supporters who have watched just four goals in nine games in those finals, with the concession of 16.
In May, to raised eyebrows, the former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock boss signed a new contract with the Scottish Football Association until the 2030 World Cup and that will go under the microscope.
After a third failed finals’ campaign, there is a growing sense of Clarke fatigue among the Tartan Army and pressure will be brought to bear on the SFA ahead of the Nations League campaign which begins in September.