Scotland

Scotland, one of the world's oldest national football teams, played in the first-ever international football match in 1872 and have qualified nine times for the FIFA World Cup, returning to the tournament at the 2026 edition after a 28-year absence. Coached by Steve Clarke and captained by Andrew Robertson, they are a UEFA member competing from their home at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Scotland's football history begins on 30 November 1872, when they drew 0–0 with England at Hamilton Crescent in Partick — recognised as the world's first official international football match. In the early amateur era Scotland dominated the British Home Championship, winning it outright 24 times. A landmark came in 1967 when they beat reigning world champions England 3–2 at Wembley, leading supporters to claim the title of 'unofficial world champions'.

Scotland qualified regularly for the World Cup through the 1970s–1990s, appearing in eight consecutive tournaments from 1954 to 1998 (excluding 1962 and 1966). The 1978 campaign in Argentina is particularly remembered: despite elimination on goal difference, Scotland defeated the Netherlands 3–2 with Archie Gemmill scoring a goal widely regarded as one of the greatest in World Cup history. After 1998 the team endured a 22-year absence from major tournaments, finally returning at UEFA Euro 2020 and subsequently Euro 2024.

Recent years have brought renewed optimism. Scotland won their Nations League B group in 2022–23, earning promotion to the top tier, and on 18 November 2025 they secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 4–2 victory over Denmark — their first World Cup appearance since 1998.