Ross Stewart Returns in Scotland’s 26-Man World Cup Squad
Ross Stewart is back in Scotland’s World Cup squad, with Steve Clarke naming the Southampton forward in a 26-man group for the tournament in the USA. Stewart last played for Scotland in 2022, and his return comes as the national side prepares for its first World Cup since 1998.
Clarke Turns to Stewart
Clarke named the squad on May 30, bringing Stewart into a trimmed group that will carry Scotland through its final warm-up and into the tournament. The forward’s inclusion is the clearest roster change in the announcement, and it gives him a route back into the team after a long wait since his last international appearance.
Scotland will play Curacao at Hampden Park on May 30 in its final warm-up game, then face Bolivia in the USA before the tournament begins. That short runway leaves little time for changes, so the 26 players named now shape the final weeks of preparation.
Scotland’s June Schedule
The group stage begins with Haiti in Boston on June 13 at 9pm local time, which is June 14 at 2am UK time. Scotland then meet Morocco in Boston on June 19 at 6pm local time before facing Brazil in Miami five days later.
That schedule gives Stewart and the rest of the squad a clear sequence: the last home check against Curacao, one final stop against Bolivia, then three group matches that will define Scotland’s return to the World Cup stage.
Back From 2022
Stewart’s recall stands out because his last Scotland appearance came in 2022, and he is one of the forwards Clarke has brought in for the tournament. The squad also reflects continuity in other areas: Clarke kept eight defenders who featured in every squad that secured qualification, and all seven midfielders who were in every squad for the qualifiers were selected.
For Stewart, the immediate task is simple. He has made the squad, he has a place in the final build-up, and the next two matches will show whether he can turn that recall into a role in Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti in Boston.
