Need to know
Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay missed the final training session before his country's World Cup 2026 opener on Sunday
Scotland's Scott McTominay during a training session at the Atrium Health Training Ground in Charlotte, North Carolina
Scotland's Scott McTominay during a training session at the Atrium Health Training Ground in Charlotte, North Carolina(Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
Everything you need to know about Scott McTominay's fitness ahead of Scotland's World Cup opener against Haiti:
Out of practice: The former Manchester United midfielder and current Napoli star missed Scotland's final training session in North Carolina on Thursday ahead of the clash with Haiti. His sudden absence naturally caused concern among fans anxiously counting down the hours until the group stage begins.
Precautionary measure only: Word from inside the Scottish camp indicates that sitting out the session was a preventative decision rather than an indicator of a severe injury. Team officials are highly confident that he will be deemed completely fit to start the match on Saturday.
Diagnosing the issue: The cause behind the 29-year-old missing his training duties has been identified as a sudden stomach bug. Teammate Kenny McLean publicly joked that his midfield partner's preparation had been completely flawless until he likely ate something bad along the line.
Tracking the spread: There is a slight worry within the squad regarding the potential transmission of the illness to other members of the roster. McLean openly expressed his hope that the bug does not spread through the camp, as keeping the rest of the team healthy is a high priority.
Manager update: Head coach Steve Clarke is expected to address the media during his pre-match press duties on Friday to provide an official medical update. He will confirm whether McTominay has fully recovered and clarify if any other players have picked up the stomach complaint.
Incredible recent form: Missing the opening match would be a massive blow to the Tartan Army considering how well the midfielder has been playing. He put on an absolute masterclass in Scotland's final warm-up match on Saturday, anchoring the side during a dominant 4-0 victory over Bolivia.
Pivotal team status: The squad's reliance on the midfielder cannot be overstated, as he is widely regarded as the most influential figure in the entire national setup. McLean emphasised his importance, saying: "Hopefully that [the illness] doesn’t spread. I am sure everybody has fingers crossed that Scott will be fine. Everybody knows what Scott brings. It is quite apparent how big a player he is for us."
Alternative squad adjustments: While the midfielder recovers, the coaching staff have also had to carefully manage the workload of centre-back Scott McKenna due to a minor knock. Because of this, Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley are the heavy favourites to start in central defence.
Crucial fixture timing: Scotland will officially launch their World Cup campaign against Haiti on Saturday, June 13, with kickoff scheduled for 3pm local time in Boston. This historic match represents the nation's first appearance at the tournament finals since 1998, raising the stakes for McTominay's recovery.