Scotland could scarcely have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in more dramatic fashion.
Needing a victory on the final matchday of the UEFA section against Group C leaders Denmark, Steve Clarke’s side were deadlocked at 2-2 heading into second-half stoppage time.
The 10-man Danes looked to be heading for the draw they needed to secure their own automatic progress to the World Cup finals, only for the most remarkable of late finishes.
First, Kieran Tierney swept home a superb shot from the edge of the area, then Kenny McLean lobbed goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from the halfway line with the final kick of the contest to secure a 4-2 victory.
The result sparked bedlam inside Glasgow’s Hampden Park as Scotland fans celebrated the end of a long wait to compete on soccer’s grandest stage.
MORE: Updated list of teams qualified for the World Cup
When did Scotland last qualify for the World Cup?
Before 2026, the last time Scotland qualified for the FIFA World Cup was back in 1998 in France.
They finished second behind Austria in Group 4 of the UEFA qualifying section. At the tournament proper, they were draw into Group A, alongside Norway, Morocco, and defending champions Brazil.
Scotland results at 1998 World Cup
Scotland were eliminated in the group stage of the 1998 World Cup after finishing bottom of Group A, with one point from three games.
After an encouraging performance in a 2-1 loss to Brazil at the Stade de France, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Norway before a dispiriting 3-0 loss to Morocco in Saint-Etienne. The result ensured they would fail to progress from the group stage of the World Cup for the eighth time, which remains a tournament record.
Who was the last Scotland player to score a World Cup goal?
The last World Cup goal for Scotland was scored by Craig Burley, the former Chelsea midfielder who is now an analyst for ESPN.
Scotland only scored two goals in their most recent World Cup appearance in 1998. John Collins netted their first from the penalty spot against Brazil, before Burley scored the equaliser in the draw with Norway.
Scotland history at the World Cup
Scotland qualified for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil but declined to enter because they finished as runner-up to England in the British Home Championships. Despite protests from the players, who wanted to play at the tournament, the Scottish FA stood by their pledge that they would only play at the World Cup as British champions.
Their debut, therefore, came four years later and established a wearying pattern for Scottish football fans.
On all eight of their appearances at the World Cup, Scotland have departed at the group stage. No country has qualified for as many tournaments without progressing beyond the first round. The 1974 World Cup, where Scotland were knocked out on goal difference despite beating Zaire and drawing with Brazil and Yugoslavia, began a run of five consecutive tumbles at the first hurdle.
Scotland record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Did not enter | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Did not enter | Italy |
| 1938 | Did not enter | France |
| 1950 | Qualified but withdrew | Brazil |
| 1954 | Group stage | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Group stage | Sweden |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | Chile |
| 1966 | Did not qualify | England |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1974 | Group stage | West Germany |
| 1978 | Group stage | Argentina |
| 1982 | Group stage | Spain |
| 1986 | Group stage | Mexico |
| 1990 | Group stage | Italy |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | United States |
| 1998 | Group stage | France |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Germany |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | South Africa |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Brazil |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Russia |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Qatar |
MORE: Revisiting the 1930 World Cup — the start of a sporting revolution
