Scotland last featured at the World Cup in 1998, exiting at the group stage
The Tartan Army start their 2026 campaign against Haiti on June 14
Steve Clarke's side also face Morocco and Brazil in Group C
Few nations will enjoy the 2026 World Cup more than Scotland as they end a 28-year absence from this great global stage.
Not since France '98 has the Tartan Army descended on a World Cup, but Steve Clarke and his squad ended that run with a 4-2 win against Denmark at Hampden Park in November.
On that evening, the Scots boss challenged his players to play with 'the anticipation of success, not the fear of failure'.
Now they are all set to face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Scotland's latest World Cup odyssey.
Scots returning for No.9
This summer will mark Scotland's ninth appearance at a men's World Cup finals. They first qualified for the 1954 edition in Switzerland, four years after the SFA opted not to partake in Brazil, as Scotland had 'only' finished as runners-up behind England in the British Home Championship.
The 1958 edition in Sweden was also graced by the Scots, who were to be led by Matt Busby before the severe injuries he suffered in the Munich air disaster caused him to miss out.
Scotland featured at five straight Mundial's from 1974-1990, including Argentina in 1978, when a famous win over the Netherlands featured goals from Kenny Dalglish and Archie Gemmill, the latter scoring a much-loved and superb individual goal that remains in Scotland's World Cup folklore.
A shock defeat to Costa Rica at Italia '90 led to another group stage exit and Scotland failed to make it six in a row at USA '94.
France '98 memories live strong
Scotland returned to the global stage in 1998 with long-serving boss Craig Brown at the helm.
They were housed with Brazil, Norway and Morocco in Group A and opened their campaign against the reigning World Champions at the magnificent Stade de France in Saint Denis.
Though they fell behind early, hopes of a famous result were strong after a penalty from John Collins sent the sides in level at the break.
His former Celtic teammate Tom Boyd was the unfortunate man to turn into his own net 16 minutes from the end as eventual finalists Brazil won 2-1.
Craig Burley's goal in Bordeaux earned a point against Norway, but hopes of progress went up in smoke against Morocco in Saint-Etienne in a 3-0 reverse that saw the Scots propping up Group A.
Zidane is the King of Paris
The 1998 edition was full of joyous moments and lasting memories. Michael Owen famously torched the Argentina defence for a brilliant goal in a barnstorming last-16 clash that saw the sides' trade four first-half goals.
David Beckham's infamous kick changed the game in the early moments of the second half and England went home after missed penalties from Paul Ince and David Batty.
Denis Bergkamp scored one of the World Cup's most iconic goals as the Netherlands eliminated Argentina in the quarter-finals, while surprise package Croatia were 3-0 winners against Germany in Lyon as Davor Suker grabbed the tournament's Golden Boot.
He scored again to put his country in front against hosts France in the semi-final, but full-back Lilian Thuram was the surprise hero for Les Bleus with two goals in response.
The hosts had a nation behind them and their talisman Zinedine Zidane scored two superb headed goals in the final as they beat Brazil 3-0, a decisive game played against the backdrop of a mystery illness to Selecao striker Ronaldo.
The Parisian party got the outcome it wanted, France's first time being world champions with the sounds of Dario G's iconic Carnival De Paris first heard that summer and now, almost three decades on, still a staple amongst the football anthems catalogue.
No Scotland No Party
The Tartan Army made that slogan famous at the Euros in 2024 after Nick Morgan penned an anthem that quickly went viral on TikTok and spread its wings as far as Argentina because it is sung to the tune of a popular Argentine song about sporting icon Diego Maradona.
While two trips to the Euros this decade allowed Scotland end a long wait for major tournament football, it has been a return to the World Cup that was their hearts' desire.
This summer, the Tartan Army will follow Scotland to Foxborough, Miami and maybe elsewhere on their latest World Cup journey.
At the ninth time of asking, they'll be pinning their hopes on qualifying for the knockout stages at last.
In the expanded format, an opening win over Haiti may even prove good enough before they lock horns again with 1998 opponents Morocco and Brazil.
If Scotland plays its maiden World Cup knockout match this summer, then there will be just one phrase on the minds of the vociferous Tartan Army: "Yes Sir, I Can Boogie!"
Next, see Scotland's World Cup 2026 fixtures
