Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Anthony Gordon during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Anthony Gordon during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James' Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United top scorer Harvey Barnes has made a big decision on his future ahead of the summer.
The Tartan Army are preparing for their first World Cup since 1998 and have again reached out to Barnes, who is the Magpies’ top goalscorer in all competitions this campaign with 12 goals.
Burnley-born Barnes earned his one and only cap for England so far in a 3-0 friendly win over Wales in October 2020 but still able to switch his international allegiances through FIFA rules.
Players are allowed to switch countries if they have played fewer than three senior competitive matches for their current national team. Barnes is eligible to represent Scotland through his maternal grandparents.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes makes decision on international future
Scotland take on Japan and Ivory Coast in March in two of their three warm-up games before their World Cup opener against Haiti on Sunday, June 14, but Barnes won’t be making himself available.
Instead, the 28-year-old has not given up hope of being called up for England, as confirmed by Scotland manager Steve Clarke.
"It's the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it," Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live. “This time I can say for sure, Harvey's going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he's not going to come to Scotland.
"You can put that one out there. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more. Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on."
What Harvey Barnes said recently about Scotland
Speaking in November last year, Barnes flirted with the idea of his switching his allegiances.
"It’s not something I’ve really spoken about or put thought into recently,” he told Sky Sports. “There’s always been talk about it and a while ago there was bits and bobs about it.
“But recently it’s not cropped up. It was great to see them win and get through (on Tuesday) night, it was a crazy game, and I’m sure everyone in Scotland enjoyed themselves.
“Is it closed off? No, of course it’s not. I’ve obviously played for England and I know the eligibility side of it is still there so it’s hard to say either way but there’s been no real chats or progression in that sense."
Can Harvey Barnes play for England at the World Cup?
Barnes faces stiff competition from several players, including Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon, if he is to win a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
While Barnes has outscored Gordon this campaign, Barnes has often found himself playing out of position on the right wing to accommodate Gordon on the opposite side.
Speaking recently, Barnes said: “The left is naturally where I’ve played most of my career and where I prefer playing but this year, more than any other, I’ve been on the right. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, it’s all about adapting. It’s a similar position but it’s different in this team.
“On the right you’re creating more and looking for crosses whereas, on the left, I’m more often than not trying to get a shot off.”
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