Scotland won one of their three games before exiting the tournament. Megan Briggs/Getty ImagesJune 27, 2026 Updated 7:50 pm EDTSteve Clarke has stepped down from his position as Scotland head coach following their World Cup exit.Their elimination was confirmed on Saturday with Clarke’s decision to walk away from his position after seven years confirmed shortly after.In an open letter to supporters, Clarke said: “The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now.“They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their gaffer. Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor.”Clarke, 62, helped Scotland reach a first World Cup for 28 years before earning a win in their first game of the tournament, 1-0 against Haiti.However, subsequent defeats by Morocco and Brazil left them third in Group C with results elsewhere meaning they did not advance to the round of 32 as one of the best eight finishers.Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “While we are all disappointed to have exited the World Cup at the group stage, we must not lose sight of the undeniable progress made during Steve’s seven years in charge.“From starting as a pot four team in 2019 to topping our World Cup qualifying group, he has more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.“We thank Steve for his record-breaking contribution and know that when the disappointment of World Cup elimination subsides, the Scotland supporters will be thankful for the memories of marching with pride at major tournaments once again.“Finally, on behalf of the board of the Scottish FA I would like to make special mention to our incredible supporters.“The many thousands who have travelled to the United States to celebrate the return to a World Cup — making a significant financial commitment to do so — have once again shown themselves to be exceptional ambassadors for our country and our national game.”Jun 27, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms