Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson of Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Scotland vs Belarus, The National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, 12/10/2025. Hampden Park The National Stadium Glasgow Scotland Editorial use only , Copyright: xColinxPoultneyx PSI-23023-0087
Scotland are preparing for their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, with former striker Paul Dickov identifying Lawrence Shankland as the key to success in North America.
Dickov, speaking to Record Sport via Gamble Mind, delivered a clear and emphatic verdict on where Scotland’s hopes will rise or fall during the tournament.
“If Scotland is going to do well, Lawrence is going to be a major part of it,” Dickov said, underlining the Rangers forward’s importance to Steve Clarke’s plans.
Shankland has already netted three goals across Scotland’s two World Cup warm-up games, building confidence ahead of Sunday’s Group C opener against Haiti in Boston.
Dickov highlighted that the physical demands on Shankland will be unlike anything he has experienced at club level, particularly against Morocco and Brazil.
“In the Morocco and Brazil games, we’re not going to have a lot of the ball,” Dickov said, adding that the striker must hold possession to relieve pressure on the backline.
Craig Gordon, 43, admitted he had feared his chance of playing at a World Cup had permanently passed him by, describing his presence at the tournament as “a huge moment.”
“Without a doubt, I thought that this opportunity had passed me by on more than one occasion,” Gordon said, with the veteran Hearts keeper the oldest player at the finals.
Former Scotland skipper Gary McAllister has praised the sequencing of the group fixtures, believing the draw has fallen kindly for Clarke’s side ahead of what promises to be a dramatic campaign.
“If we can get three points on the board, I think that might be enough, though goal difference will matter,” McAllister said, with his dream scenario being a dead rubber against Brazil in Miami.
Kenny Miller believes Clarke would be “crazy” to abandon the 4-4-2 formation that served Scotland so well in their warm-up matches against Bolivia and Curacao.
Miller’s preferred lineup includes Craig Gordon in goal, with Ryan Christie and Scott McTominay at the heart of midfield, and both Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams leading the attack.
Maurice Malpas echoed that sentiment, acknowledging that while he personally believes Scotland are better with five at the back, Clarke must weigh the specific tactical challenge Haiti will present.
Former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan tipped Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak as his pick for breakout star of the tournament, praising the team’s midfield depth as Scotland’s greatest collective strength.
US-based former Caley Thistle midfielder Nick Ross has warned that conditions in Miami could be brutally testing, saying the humidity there makes players feel like they are “playing underwater.”
Roy Keane, meanwhile, labelled John McGinn a “pub player” on his bad days while simultaneously insisting he would have the Aston Villa captain in his squad every single day of the week.
Scotland fans travelling to Boston have been issued an unusual warning by the Cape Cod National Seashore service, urging visitors to exercise extreme caution due to a migration of great white sharks near local beaches.
Betway has priced Scotland at 8/1 to reach the quarter-finals, with Scott McTominay the 11/4 favourite to finish as the team’s top scorer ahead of Shankland at 5/1 and Che Adams at 6/1.
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