Image Credits: Imago Images
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on October 12, 2023, when countries from the Asian confederation played their first-round matches.
Now that qualification campaigns across all confederations are drawing to a close, we are still some way from confirming the full list of 45 nations that will join tournament hosts the United States, Mexico, and Canada to complete the expanded 48-team field.
Japan became the first nation to qualify on March 20, and several countries have since secured their places.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson captained Scotland to their first World Cup appearance since 1998 after a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring with a spectacular third-minute bicycle kick, giving the hosts a half-time lead.
Rasmus Højlund equalised for Denmark early in the second half, shortly before Rasmus Kristensen was sent off.
Lawrence Shankland restored Scotland’s advantage, but Patrick Dorgu appeared to rescue Denmark with a late leveller.
However, injury-time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, the latter scoring from his own half, sealed a memorable win for Steve Clarke’s side and secured automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Robertson lasted the entire duration of the game at a bouncing Hampden Park.
“It sums up this squad, never say die, we just keep going to the end, one of the craziest games of football, we put the country through it, but it’s worth it, we’re going to the World Cup, I can’t believe it,” Robertson told BBC Sport.
“It’s different [to achievements with Liverpool], today I’m in bits, the age I’m at, this is my last chance of a World Cup, I couldn’t get my mate, Diogo Jota, out of my head today, we spoke so much about the World Cup.
“When he missed out in Qatar due to injury, I missed out, because Scotland never went, we always discussed what it would be like to go to this World Cup, I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight, I couldn’t get him out of my head all day.
“I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier, and I hid it well from the boys.
“I can’t wait to get down to Liverpool and share a red wine with your Dad [Kenny Dalglish].
“He always spoke about World Cups. This group, this staff, it’s the best group I’ve been involved in. The manager’s speech in the hotel.
“He said, the big moments we had, Serbia was one of the best moments of my life. Ukraine was one of the toughest here.
“Qualifying for the Euros, couldn’t quite remember it, we were in a bar, then he said, let’s make it another one, he went into his life and stuff like that, we were quite emotional.
“It’ll go down as one of the greatest nights of my life.”
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