Scotland

History of the Scotland National Team: The Tartan Army, from the First International to the 2026 World Cup

Partner in the very first international match in history, Scotland invented the passing game and supplied English football with many of its finest players. After twenty-eight years away, they returned to the World Cup in 2026 and recorded their first win at the tournament since 1990.

1. The Inventors of the Passing Game (1872–1950)

On 30 November 1872, in Glasgow, Scotland played England in the first international match in history (0–0). The Scottish Football Association, founded in 1873, is the second oldest in the world. In contrast to the English individual dribbling game, the Scots developed the passing game, which would be adopted everywhere. Hundreds of Scottish players — the "Scotch Professors" — went on to teach football in England and around the world. In 1928 the "Wembley Wizards" humiliated England 5–1 at Wembley.

2. Eight World Cups and the 1967 Victory (1954–1998)

Scotland played their first World Cup in 1954 and would appear at eight up to 1998. In 1967 they beat reigning world champions England 3–2 at Wembley, prompting supporters to crown them "unofficial world champions". In 1974 they became the only team eliminated from a World Cup without losing a match, and in 1978 Archie Gemmill scored against the Netherlands one of the finest goals in tournament history. Denis Law — Scotland's only Ballon d'Or winner — and Kenny Dalglish are the legends. Despite this talent, Scotland never progressed beyond the first round.

3. The Long Absence and the Return (1999–2024)

After the 1998 World Cup, Scotland went more than twenty years without a major tournament. Under Steve Clarke they finally returned for Euro 2020, played in 2021, then qualified again for Euro 2024 in Germany, driven by Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay. The Tartan Army, famed for its festive atmosphere and sportsmanship, followed the team in their tens of thousands.

4. The 2026 World Cup: Back After Twenty-Eight Years

In November 2025 Scotland sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, their first since 1998. Drawn in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti — Brazil and Morocco had also been their opponents in 1998 — they won 1–0, their first World Cup win since 1990 (against Sweden), and finished third in the group. Their tally was not enough to rank among the eight best third-placed teams, however, and they were eliminated at the end of the group stage.

5. A Passion Undimmed

Scottish football retains a unique identity, marked by the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers — the Old Firm — and by deep popular attachment to the national team, whose home, Hampden Park in Glasgow, was long the largest stadium in the world.

6. Towards 2030

Since resuming in September 2026, Scotland have approached their new cycle with a historic objective: finally getting beyond the first round of a major international tournament for the first time.