Findlay Curtis Headlines Scotland Squad for World Cup Warm-Ups

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has unveiled his squad for the highly anticipated friendly matches against Japan and Ivory Coast, setting the stage for the Tartan Army’s final preparations before this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America. The announcement, made just weeks before the global tournament kicks off, has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike—not least because of a surprise inclusion and a raft of injury-enforced changes.

At the heart of the squad news is 19-year-old Findlay Curtis, an uncapped winger currently on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers. Curtis, who has impressed with his direct play and willingness to take on defenders since his January move, is widely seen as the headline pick in Clarke’s 26-man group. His call-up for the friendlies—against Japan at Hampden Park on March 28 and Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 31—marks a significant milestone in a fledgling career that’s already turning heads.

“He came into the Rangers team, I liked him,” Clarke said of Curtis, according to Sky Sports. “I thought he was quite direct, tries to make things happen. I went to watch him live at the weekend, I thought he was decent. He's quick, direct, asks defenders to defend, so it's something a little bit different. Obviously Ben Gannon-Doak had a big, big impact on the squad, and certainly the media and the Scottish public, because he's something a little bit different. Findlay can hopefully give us something similar. He's not exactly the same type of player as Ben, but something similar.”

Curtis’s selection comes on the back of six standout appearances for Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, where his pace and attacking intent have offered a glimpse of what he might bring to the national side. With three goals in 26 games for Rangers and a Scotland Under-21 cap already to his name, the teenager’s rapid rise is a testament to both his potential and Clarke’s willingness to freshen up the squad with youthful energy.

The friendlies themselves are more than just tune-ups—they’re a chance for Scotland to fine-tune tactics and test squad depth ahead of a World Cup campaign that has already made history. The Tartan Army’s qualification for this summer’s finals ended a 28-year wait to return to the world stage, and optimism is running high that this group can achieve what no Scotland men’s team has managed before: progress beyond the group stage.

“If I'm honest, if you looked at the teams involved and our squad and where it's at, before the draw even came out, I had a feeling that was our aim,” Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith told Sky Sports News. “The manager's been very big on this way back to when we narrowly missed out in the Ukraine play-off, that we can't not just get to the finals, we can definitely progress. The games are all going to be tough, the conditions are going to be tough, but that's the same for everybody. You're playing against a lot of different nations that you don't come up as much against. They'll be tough games, but I definitely feel we've got what it takes within the group to progress and be the first team to do that at the World Cup.”

The squad announcement, however, was not without its challenges. Injuries have forced Clarke into some difficult decisions, with key figures missing out. Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland and Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey are both sidelined, denying Scotland two experienced campaigners. Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, is also ruled out, leading to the recall of Angus Gunn, who started at Euro 2024 but has played just 45 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season. Scott Bain of Falkirk and Liam Kelly of Rangers round out the goalkeeping options.

In defense, Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Dom Hyam of Wrexham return to the fold, stepping in for the injured Hickey and full-back Josh Doig. Hibernian’s Grant Hanley retains his place despite a recent injury layoff, while the likes of Jack Hendry, Ross McCrorie, Scott McKenna, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, and Kieran Tierney provide depth and experience across the back line.

The midfield is bolstered by the inclusion of Sparta Prague’s Andy Irving, whose performances abroad have earned him a call-up. Mainstays such as Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, and Lennon Miller ensure that Clarke has a blend of creativity and steel in the engine room.

Up front, Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway makes his return, joining Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, and the aforementioned Curtis. With Ben Gannon-Doak missing out as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, the onus will be on the new faces to provide attacking spark in the upcoming friendlies.

Scotland’s journey to the World Cup will begin in earnest on June 14, with a Group C opener against Haiti in Boston. Five days later, they’ll remain in Massachusetts to take on Morocco, before a mouth-watering clash with Brazil in Miami on June 24. The friendlies against Japan—who were the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup—and Ivory Coast, quarter-finalists at the Africa Cup of Nations, will provide a stern test for Clarke’s men as they fine-tune their approach.

Looking beyond the March fixtures, Scotland fans can look forward to a Hampden Park farewell against Curacao on May 30 and an overseas friendly in the USA, with details yet to be confirmed. These games will offer further opportunities for squad members to stake their claim for a starting berth when the real action gets underway in June.

For now, all eyes are on Hampden Park and Hill Dickinson Stadium, where the blend of youth and experience in Clarke’s squad will be put to the test. Can Findlay Curtis seize his opportunity and become Scotland’s next breakout star? Will the reshuffled defense and new faces in midfield gel in time for the ultimate challenge? With optimism in the camp and the weight of history on their shoulders, Scotland’s preparations for the World Cup promise to be anything but dull.

As the Tartan Army readies itself for a summer of football on the world’s biggest stage, these friendlies offer a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. The countdown is on, and Scotland’s football faithful are daring to dream once again.