Scotland hasn’t played in a World Cup since France 1998. That’s 28 years of watching from the couch.
Clarke, who has managed Scotland since May 2019, secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 4-2 victory over Denmark on November 18, 2025.
From Euro heartbreak to World Cup dreams
Clarke’s tenure hasn’t been without its rough patches. He led Scotland to both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, marking the team’s return to major tournament football after decades in the wilderness. Neither campaign ended well.
At Euro 2020, delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic, Scotland managed just one point from their three group matches. Euro 2024 brought similar frustration, with the team again failing to advance beyond the group stage.
