Scotland aims to ‘take care of business’ at World Cup, says McLean

Scotland is heading to its first World Cup since 1998, and Kenny McLean wants to make sure this isn’t just a nostalgia tour. The Norwich City midfielder, whose sensational halfway-line goal helped seal qualification, has made the squad’s ambitions clear: get out of the group stage and build something that lasts.

From drought to deluge

Scotland punched its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on November 18, 2025, dismantling Denmark 4-2 in a playoff match. Scott McTominay and Kieran Tierney both found the net, but it was McLean’s injury-time strike from near the halfway line that became the defining image of the night.

The victory ended Scotland’s 28-year World Cup absence. Their last appearance came at France 1998.

The 2026 mission

With the tournament set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, McLean has been vocal about what success looks like for this group. As of May 2026, reaching the knockout stages is the primary goal.

Scotland has never advanced past the group stage of a World Cup. Not once. In eight previous tournament appearances stretching back to 1954, the Scots have consistently exited at the first hurdle.

In recent interviews leading up to the tournament, McLean highlighted the blend of experienced players and promising newcomers as crucial for their quest to achieve knockout stage success. McTominay brings top-level European experience. Tierney provides defensive solidity. McLean himself scored from near the halfway line in stoppage time in the biggest match of the qualification campaign.

Why this time might be different

The expanded 2026 World Cup format works in Scotland’s favor. With 48 teams competing instead of the traditional 32, the tournament structure has been redesigned, giving more teams a path to advance from group stages.

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