Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes has hinted at a possible switch in international allegiance from England to Scotland ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The 27-year-old, who has represented England at the senior level once in a friendly match, remains eligible to play for Scotland through his maternal grandparents.
Scotland secured their place in the 2026 World Cup after defeating Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park. This marks their first World Cup appearance since 1998. With Scotland's qualification, the possibility of Barnes joining Steve Clarke's squad has resurfaced.
Barnes' sole appearance for England was in a friendly against Wales in October 2020. According to FIFA rules, he is still eligible to represent Scotland since he has not played in a competitive senior match for England. FIFA regulations allow players to switch national teams if they have played no more than three competitive matches at the senior level before turning 21. Several players have switched allegiances, including England's Declan Rice, who switched from the Republic of Ireland.
Barnes has been on Scotland's radar for a few years, with Clarke having previously spoken to him about the possibility of switching allegiances. While Barnes admitted that he hasn't given the switch much thought, he has not ruled out the possibility of playing for Scotland. "No, no, of course it's not [off the table]," Barnes told Sky Sports when asked about the possibility. "I've obviously played for England and I know the eligibility side's still there. So, it's hard to say either way but there's been no real chats or any sort of progression in that sense".
Should Barnes make the switch, he would join other dual-nationality players in the Scotland squad, such as Scott McTominay, Andrew Robertson, and John McGinn.
In related news, Tottenham Hotspur's 18-year-old forward, Mikey Moore, is also reportedly considering switching his international allegiance to Wales. Moore, who is currently on loan at Rangers, qualifies to play for Wales through a grandparent. He has represented England at the U-19 level.
