Scotland have played in eight World Cups, though they have never advanced beyond the first round. The team also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

1954

Scotland didn't make it out of Group 3 at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

1958

Scotland didn't make it out of Group 2 at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.

1974

Scotland didn't make it out of Group 2 at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

1978

Scotland didn't make it out of Group 4 at the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

1982

Scotland didn't make it out of Group 6 at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

1986

Scotland didn't make it out of Group E at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

1990

Scotland didn't make it out of Group C at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

1998

Scotland didn't make it out of Group A at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

2026

Scotland have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is in Group C and will play against Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti.

Trivia

  • Scotland declined to play in the 1950 finals because they were not the British Champions. Scotland finished second to England in the British Home International Championship, and both teams then qualified for the 1950 finals. Scotland withdrew simply because they had earlier graciously announced that they would only participate as British champions.
  • Scotland's coach Jack Stein suffered a heart attack and died after Scotland's 1-1 tie in a qualifier against Wales on 10 September 1985. Alex Ferguson took over the job, and led Scotland to qualify for Mexico 1986.
  • No other country has qualified for as many World Cup finals without progressing past the first round.