Football Mar 16, 2026

World Cup 2026: Angus Gunn, uncapped Findlay Curtis included as Scotland squad for Japan and Ivory Coast warm-up matches revealed

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
World Cup 2026: Angus Gunn, uncapped Findlay Curtis included as Scotland squad for Japan and Ivory Coast warm-up matches revealed

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn and uncapped Findlay Curtis have been named in Scotland's squad for this month's World Cup warm-up matches.

Steve Clarke has picked a 26-man group for the visit of Japan on March 28 and the trip to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium three days later to play the Ivory Coast.

Despite featuring for just 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season, Gunn, who started at Euro 2024 in Germany, returns in place of the injured 43-year-old Craig Gordon.

In defence, Everton's Nathan Patterson and Dom Hyam of Wrexham return to the squad in place of injured Brentford defender Aaron Hickey and full-back Josh Doig, while Hibs' Grant Hanley keeps his place despite last playing over a month ago due to injury.

Ben Gannon Doak misses out as he returns from the hamstring injury suffered in Scotland's win over Denmark last November, with Sparta Prague's Andy Irving included in midfield.

At the top-end of the pitch, 19-year-old Curtis, who is on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers, is included in a senior squad for the first time.

Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway also returns, while Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland misses out as he recovers from injury.

Scotland's game against Japan - who were the first nation to qualify for the World Cup - will be their first back at Hampden Park since qualification for this summer's finals was confirmed.

Meanwhile, the friendly against Ivory Coast - who reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations - will be the first meeting between the teams.

A Hampden Park farewell against Curacao on May 30 and an overseas friendly in the USA, yet to be confirmed, await thereafter - before that first Group C match against Haiti.

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese).

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich).

Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith is feeling "very optimistic" about his country's chances of progressing beyond the group stages for the first time.

The 51-time capped forward, who played under Clarke before first joining his coaching staff in 2021, believes this current group of players can create even more history after ending the nation's 28-year wait for World Cup qualification.

"If I'm honest, if you looked at the teams involved and our squad and where it's at, before the draw even came out, I had a feeling that was our aim," he told Your Site News.

"The manager's been very big on this way back to when we narrowly missed out in the Ukraine play-off, that we can't not just get to the finals, we can definitely progress.

"The games are all going to be tough, the conditions are going to be tough, but that's the same for everybody.

"You're playing against a lot of different nations that you don't come up as much against. They'll be tough games, but I definitely feel we've got what it takes within the group to progress and be the first team to do that at the World Cup.

"What we've got is a squad of leaders who are at their prime, playing at big clubs to guide the potential younger guys in the squad as well.

"So we are very optimistic. It's going to be hard work, but we will definitely do all we can.

"This group have continuously excelled and made their own history. The next step, and what would be really nice for some of the guys, is to finish their career to be the ones that push through the group stage and into the knockout stages of a World Cup."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Kai Havertz penalty call: Jamie Redknapp brands VAR inaction a disgrace as Arsenal denied spot-kick against Everton

Kai Havertz penalty call: Jamie Redknapp brands VAR inaction a disgrace as Arsenal denied spot-kick against Everton

Jamie Redknapp has blasted VAR's inaction after Kai Havertz was denied a penalty in the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton, labelling the de...

Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Max Dowman becomes youngest Premier League scorer to send Gunners nine points clear

Arsenal 2-0 Everton: Max Dowman becomes youngest Premier League scorer to send Gunners nine points clear

Max Dowman became the youngest scorer in Premier League history as his incredible breakaway goal sealed a late 2-0 win over Everton to put Arsenal nin...

Pep Guardiola insists Man City Premier League bid not over - but accepts Erling Haaland goal drought a problem

Pep Guardiola insists Man City Premier League bid not over - but accepts Erling Haaland goal drought a problem

Pep Guardiola insists the Premier League title race is not over - but accepted his side are missing the consistency, creativity and Erling Haaland goa...

Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle: Anthony Gordon's first-half strike boosts Toon's European qualification hopes

Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle: Anthony Gordon's first-half strike boosts Toon's European qualification hopes

Newcastle injected life into their bid to secure European qualification with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.Anthony Gordon's first-half...

Chelsea huddle: Blues boss Liam Rosenior blasts referee Paul Tierney over bizarre incident

Chelsea huddle: Blues boss Liam Rosenior blasts referee Paul Tierney over bizarre incident

Liam Rosenior has criticised Paul Tierney after a bizarre incident before Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Newcastle which saw the referee end up in the middle...

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: League leaders drop vital points in title race with Rugby Park loss

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hearts: League leaders drop vital points in title race with Rugby Park loss

Leaders Hearts dropped three valuable points in the Scottish Premiership title race as they lost 1-0 to an inspired Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Michael...