Scotland head coach Steve Clarke had simply completed his taking part in profession with Chelsea when his nation certified for the 1998 World Cup, proving their final look on the finals earlier than the previous defender guided them again to the event by beating Denmark final November.
Clarke has specific cause to sense the feelgood issue earlier than Scotland’s pre-finals swansong on dwelling turf at Hampden Park in opposition to Curacao on Saturday, having signed a brand new deal on Thursday to remain in cost till 2030.
“Will probably be good for the followers to present us a send-off,” Clarke instructed the Scottish FA. “We need to win. A very powerful factor isn’t any accidents and minutes for lots of gamers who most likely have to get minutes of their legs.
“There’ll most likely be a number of rotations and adjustments all through the sport, however I’ll attempt to utilise a lot of the squad.”
The third-lowest ranked crew on the finals, Curacao completed forward of Jamaica to win their qualifying group and could have the oldest head coach in World Cup historical past within the massively skilled Dick Advocaat.
Miami FC’s Jurgen Locadia performed for Advocaat on the striker’s first membership, PSV, earlier than changing into Brighton & Hove Albion’s then-record signing and taking part in for the likes of Hoffenheim and Bochum.
“It’s very particular,” mentioned the 32-year-old, who scored three Premier League objectives, chatting with VoetbalPrimeur and including that the prospect of the World Cup finals is “actually beginning to sink in”.
“[Advocaat] will get mad at me usually. Now we have a pleasant bond and he is aware of what he will get from me. He can now assist and assist me and the youthful gamers.”
At their first finals, Curacao’s powerful group options four-time champions Germany, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Not only a 𝙨𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩…🌎
A complete 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲. 🇨🇼🎬🎶See you on the @fifaworldcup!#TheBlueWave #Curaçao pic.twitter.com/ozNEHFLAE5
— Curaçao Nationwide Soccer Group (@TheBlueWaveFFK) May 18, 2026
World Cup 2026 pleasant: Scotland v Curacao crew information
Middlesbrough ahead Tommy Conway will miss the World Cup with an ankle downside however Southampton striker Ross Stewart may function for Scotland for the primary time since 2022, having suffered a string of significant accidents between his final worldwide look and January this 12 months.
Clarke is hopeful that 43-year-old Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon will keep match for Scotland’s marketing campaign, which begins with video games in opposition to Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, having returned this month from a long-term shoulder harm.
Alongside Locadia, Curacao’s squad options quite a few gamers who could also be acquainted to followers in Scotland and England.
Captain Leandro Bacuna’s former golf equipment embrace Aston Villa, Studying, Cardiff Metropolis and Watford. Sontje Hansen is a Boro winger, Tahith Chong is a Sheffield United midfielder and Ar’jany Martha is a Rotherham United defender.
Full-back Joshua Brenet performed for Livingston, midfielder Gervane Kastaneer had a mortgage spell with Hearts from former membership Coventry Metropolis and winger Kenji Gorre was a youth prospect at Swansea Metropolis.
