Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson 3 - Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom on 12 October 2025. Editorial use only , Copyright: xRaymondxDaviesx PSI-23024-0049
Dougie Donnelly, the celebrated voice of Scottish sport, turns 73 this week and carries vivid memories of the country’s last World Cup appearance nearly three decades ago.
The veteran broadcaster was flung into covering the 1998 World Cup opening ceremony without a single second of preparation, after a technical glitch silenced Barry Davies at the worst possible moment.
Donnelly had been standing on the gantry at the Stade de France, fully expecting to relax through the live entertainment before leading his commentary team into Scotland’s match against Brazil.
Within thirty seconds, a voice was screaming in his earpiece, demanding he take over the voiceover for the acrobats, stilt walkers, and Parisian-themed spectacle unfolding before him.
He recalled: “It was one of the worst moments in my career, it really was. I knew nothing about these ceremonies and French symbolism and the like.”
Fortunately, he had picked up a 40-page collection of notes on the opening ceremony on his way to the stadium, almost by accident, and was able to draw on them sparingly.
He said: “I waffled my way through the opening ceremony and then had to go again for the game. It was a horrible moment, I still remember it. I’d done no homework or rehearsal but I got away with it, just about!”
The stakes were enormous, with BBC Scotland having won the broadcast toss to secure coverage of the opening Brazil fixture, drawing an audience well over a million back home.
He said: “Scotland against Brazil, opening match of the World Cup. I can’t remember the actual size of the audience, but it was well over a million. So it was a really big deal.”
Beyond the broadcast chaos, Donnelly also found himself unexpectedly responsible for looking after pundit Ally McCoist on the night Scotland were eliminated after the Morocco game.
The hotel bar was firmly closed when the dejected BBC team returned, and most of the group simply went to bed, but McCoist had other ideas entirely.
He said: “Off he went, on his own, and the producer said, go with him, be responsible for him and look after him. The idea that I was responsible for McCoist!”
In the end Donnelly opted against venturing out, and McCoist reportedly surfaced the following morning for breakfast having found a group of people and slept on their floor after being out all night.
Now, 28 years after France 98, Donnelly will be watching as a viewer when Scotland return to the World Cup, with their opening fixture against Haiti kicking off at 2am UK time from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
He said: “I can see a lot of fans sitting up to watch it but falling asleep and missing the second half!”
Donnelly is hopeful Scotland can make an impression, singling out Scott McTominay, who he described as “an absolute revelation in Italy,” alongside John McGinn, who was “absolutely magnificent for Aston Villa as they won the Europa League.”
He also pointed to Lawrence Shankland as a key figure, saying: “I hope we score a goal and you just hope that Lawrence Shankland can grab one as he looks like he’ll be an important player for us.”
Manager Steve Clarke also drew praise, with Donnelly noting: “Steve is a very conservative manager, but he’s done brilliant and he’s managed to get us to two Euros and the World Cup. He’s a very astute coach.”
Donnelly made the remarks as part of a campaign for Sterling Home, tapping into the nostalgia of 50 years of Sportscene, his own half-century in broadcasting, and Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup stage.
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