Watch: Actor Ewan McGregor reveals the Scotland roster for the 2026 World Cup

“Scotland, you beautiful, unbreakable place. After 28 long summers, the world will finally hear your voice again.”

That was the final line delivered by Hollywood superstar Ewan McGregor in the Scotland national team’s epic roster reveal for the 2026 World Cup, which you’d be foolish not to check out below. The Scots’ media team has become known for its rousing, wholesome social media content in recent years, mirroring the soccer team’s resurgence back to the top table.

The line above references the fact Scotland, once World Cup regulars, will play in their first World Cup since France ’98, the sixth tournament they had qualified for out of seven. What was once taken for granted was suddenly taken away.

A long-awaited return

The tournament they missed during that stretch was the 1994 World Cup in the United States, so this year’s qualification scratches an especially persistent itch. According to Scotland.org, more than five million Americans claimed Scottish ancestry in the most recent U.S. census, although other estimates suggest the figure could actually be as high as 25 million.

In Canada, that figure stands at four million.

Scotland will play two games in Boston/Foxborough and one in Miami, and they will be vociferously backed by the Tartan Army. Thousands will cross the pond, with many others already there.

History still hanging over Scotland

In eight previous World Cups, Scotland have never reached the knockout stage, eliminated in the group stage on goal difference in three successive tournaments in 1974, 1978 and 1982.

With 32 of 48 teams progressing this time around, they may never have a better chance, although expectations have been tempered by a difficult Group C featuring Brazil and Morocco.

A win over Haiti in their opening game is a must, but history tells us Scotland rarely thrive as favorites.

“The heart beats loudest”

“Our Scotland, you’ve always been an easy country to love,” begins McGregor’s spiel. “Wind that shapes the land. Rain that brings color to the wild places. Hills rise like old friends waiting to share their view.

“But football. That’s where the heart beats loudest. The strangers that become brothers and sisters for 90 minutes. In belief that never leaves. We carry something they cannot measure. Pride. That fierce, stubborn Scottish pride.”

It has been 28 years since Scotland last played in the World Cup, and 72 years since they first tried to advance beyond the first round. That fierce, stubborn Scottish pride will be felt all across North America if the class of 2026 can finally make history.

Scotland’s 2026 World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Hearts), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Napoli)

Forwards: Ché Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton), George Hirst (Ipswich Town), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton)

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