Steve Clarke has ended Ross Stewart's four-year international exile by naming the Southampton striker in Scotland's 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup in North America. Teenage Rangers winger Findlay Curtis also earns his place, while Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway misses out through injury and Udinese midfielder Lennon Miller is left out entirely.

Stewart's return from the wilderness

Stewart, 29, last appeared for Scotland in 2022 and spent much of the intervening period on the treatment table. A rich run of form from January onwards has convinced Clarke that the striker deserves a return to the international fold. Stewart has scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Southampton this season, including a strike in the Championship play-off semi-final victory over Middlesbrough, and Clarke pointed specifically to a cup goal against Arsenal as proof that the forward can deliver on the biggest occasions.

"From January onwards, he's had a rich vein of form where he's shown that he can score big goals in big games," Clarke said. "The Arsenal game in the cup, he shows he can have an impact in games of that level. The World Cup will be a very high level as well. He's shown that he can score from the bench."

Curtis earns his spot

Findlay Curtis, 19, made his senior Scotland debut in the friendly defeat by Japan in March and rounded off a loan spell at Kilmarnock with five goals despite the Ayrshire club enduring a difficult season at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership. Clarke said the teenager offers "something a little bit different" to the options already available to him out wide.

Ben Gannon-Doak, who only recently returned from injury at Bournemouth, is also included among the wide players. Conway, who had impressed for Middlesbrough and featured in the play-off semi-final, was ruled out after picking up an injury in the second leg. Clarke described the 23-year-old's absence as "very disappointing" following what he called a great season at club level.

Miller overlooked as Clarke prioritises balance

The most notable omission is Lennon Miller. The teenager earned four Scotland caps in 2024 but did not feature in the March friendlies against Ivory Coast or Japan, and Clarke opted to take an additional forward rather than an extra midfielder to fill the final places. Miller made 25 appearances for Udinese this season. Clarke was careful to frame it as a squad balance decision rather than a statement about the player's long-term future, noting simply: "Lennon's so young. He'd been in a few squads. I just felt with the balance of the midfield that I've got, it was better to take another forward."

Goalkeepers light on minutes

Craig Gordon, 43, is one of three goalkeepers selected alongside Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly, despite the trio managing just 15 appearances between them this season. Gordon has been recovering from injury but Clarke said the Hearts stopper has been monitored closely and is training well. Gunn, who made only one senior club appearance for Nottingham Forest this season, played in an under-23 fixture to maintain match sharpness.

Scotland's World Cup group and warm-up fixtures

Scotland are placed in Group C and face the following opponents:

  • Haiti – 14 June (Massachusetts)
  • Morocco – 19 June (Massachusetts)
  • Brazil – 24 June (Miami)

Before heading to the United States, Clarke's side host Curacao in a Hampden Park friendly on 30 May before a final warm-up against Bolivia in New Jersey on 6 June.

Frequently asked

Why was Lennon Miller left out of Scotland's World Cup squad?
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke said he felt the balance of his midfield meant it made more sense to include an extra forward rather than an additional midfielder. Miller, who won four caps in 2024, did not feature in the March friendlies against Ivory Coast or Japan.
Who is Findlay Curtis and why has he been picked for Scotland?
Findlay Curtis is a 19-year-old winger at Rangers who made his senior Scotland debut in March 2025. He scored five goals on loan at Kilmarnock and Clarke said he offers something different to the other wide options in the squad.
Who are Scotland playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Scotland are in Group C and face Haiti on 14 June, Morocco on 19 June, and Brazil on 24 June. The first two games are in Massachusetts, with the final group match in Miami.