Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifiers Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Group C match at Hampden Park, Glasgow UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xFredxPalmerx FIL-22351-0159
Scotland have arrived at their World Cup training base in Charlotte, North Carolina, ending 28 years of absence from football’s biggest stage.
The squad is preparing at Atrium Health Performance Park, home of MLS side Charlotte FC, which offers what has been described as Premier League standard facilities.
Steve Clarke has embraced the South Carolina heat, saying “it’s very hot, which is lovely, which is what we wanted” ahead of Group C clashes against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil.
Scotland’s technical director at Charlotte FC is Tommy Wilson, a 64-year-old former St Mirren teammate of Clarke who played a crucial role in securing the base.
Charlotte FC manager Dean Smith is a friend of Clarke, while Irish first-team coach Gary Dicker previously worked under Clarke at Kilmarnock nine years ago.
Captain Andy Robertson has urged his teammates to soak in the experience, calling their training camp at Inter Miami and the New Jersey friendly “surreal” before warning that things will get more serious as the week progresses.
Robertson also made a heartfelt pre-tournament gesture, giving each squad member a gift that included traditional Scottish items alongside a personalised letter, a move Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston described as an “amazing touch.”
Lawrence Shankland has emerged as a key figure after bagging three goals across warm-up wins against Curacao and Bolivia, prompting former Hearts teammate Andy Halliday to declare him “undroppable” for the Haiti opener.
Halliday said “I don’t think Lawrence Shankland was one of them two weeks ago, I think he has to be now,” adding that Shankland’s link-up play and character make him far more than just a goalscorer.
Despite his blistering form, Shankland himself has refused to assume his place in the starting lineup is guaranteed for Sunday’s Boston clash against Haiti.
Oddschecker data shows 63 percent of bets placed are on Shankland to be Scotland’s top scorer, making him the 3/1 favourite, just ahead of Scott McTominay at 11/4.
Billy Gilmour is a notable absentee after suffering an injury during the Curacao match, dealing a blow to Clarke’s midfield options ahead of the tournament’s opening rounds.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken has publicly blasted Scotland as “unprofessional” after a planned closed-door friendly was cancelled without Clarke contacting him directly by phone.
Scotland had been due to face Erling Haaland’s Norway on Monday, but the Norwegian FA announced the game was scrapped, with “injuries” cited as the reason from the Scottish side.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Group C rivals Morocco have been dealt their own injury blow, with Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli expected to miss three to four weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury against Norway.
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