Ross Stewart's late-season form for Southampton has done exactly what Steve Clarke needed to see. The 29-year-old striker has been named in Scotland's 26-man World Cup squad, bringing an end to a four-year absence from international football that was largely shaped by a wretched run of injuries.

Stewart's last appearance in dark blue was a substitute outing in a Nations League fixture against Armenia — a cameo so brief it barely registered at the time. Since then, persistent physical setbacks meant he struggled to impose himself at club level, let alone force his way back into Clarke's thinking. That changed sharply in the second half of this domestic season: five goals in ten matches as Southampton pushed through to the Championship play-off final was the kind of evidence the Scotland head coach could not ignore.

Clarke was direct in explaining his thinking. "He has had a terrible run of injury," the manager said. "He has hit a rich vein of form since January, big goals in big games. He has shown he can score from the bench. Ross fitted in very well within the group. You need good relationships within the group. It is important we have that."

Gordon defies the years

Stewart's recall is the headline selection, but Craig Gordon's inclusion runs it close for sheer talking-point value. The Hearts goalkeeper, now 43, makes the cut despite injury limiting his involvement for the Edinburgh club this season. Clarke has clearly done his homework, despatching goalkeeping coach Chris Woods to observe Gordon in training before making the call.

"We have had Craig monitored, we have had good reports back from Hearts," Clarke said. "He deserves to be there." Gordon is joined between the posts by Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly, giving Scotland an experienced trio for what will be the country's third successive major tournament.

Fresh face and notable absences

At the opposite end of the experience spectrum, 19-year-old Findlay Curtis earns a place in the squad on the back of an impressive loan spell at Kilmarnock from Rangers. His inclusion is the sort of forward-looking decision that suggests Clarke is beginning to think beyond this tournament, even while targeting results within it.

Among those who miss out are Lennon Miller, Oli McBurnie and Ross McCrorie — omissions that will prompt debate among supporters, though Clarke's squad selection otherwise reflects the settled group that navigated qualification.

The full forward options available to Clarke are Ché Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland and Stewart himself — a varied set of profiles that gives the manager genuine flexibility in how he constructs his attack.

Tough group awaits

Scotland's World Cup adventure begins on 13 June when they face Haiti in Boston. They remain in the same city to take on Morocco before travelling to Miami for what is arguably the standout fixture of their group stage: a meeting with Brazil. Before any of that, pre-tournament friendlies against Curaçao and Bolivia — the latter staged in New Jersey — will serve as the final preparation.

The market will rightly make Scotland substantial underdogs against both Morocco and Brazil, but Clarke's squad carries genuine tournament pedigree. This is a group of players who know how to qualify; the question now is whether they can finally make their mark once they get there. Stewart, back from the international wilderness, will be hoping to play his part.

Frequently asked

Why was Ross Stewart left out of the Scotland squad for so long?
Stewart's four-year absence from the Scotland squad was primarily down to a persistent run of injuries that disrupted his club form and kept him off Steve Clarke's radar. His return to consistent scoring for Southampton this season prompted Clarke to bring him back.
Who are Scotland playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland are in a group with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. They face Haiti first in Boston on 13 June, then Morocco in the same city, before travelling to Miami to play Brazil.
How old is Craig Gordon and is he really in the Scotland World Cup squad?
Yes — Craig Gordon is 43 years old and has been selected as one of Scotland's three goalkeepers for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Steve Clarke confirmed he had Gordon closely monitored before making the decision.