Scotland is on the cusp of history as they face Denmark in a critical World Cup 2026 qualifier at Hampden Park on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Steve Clarke's side is chasing their first World Cup qualification in 27 years, a feat that would eclipse their recent EURO 2020 and EURO 2024 achievements.
The equation is simple for Scotland: a win against Denmark will secure their place at the World Cup. Denmark, currently leading Group C with 11 points to Scotland's 10, only needs a draw to guarantee their qualification. The match is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having everything to play for.
Scotland's path to this decisive match has been fraught with challenges. A 3-2 defeat to Greece on Saturday threatened to derail their automatic qualification hopes. However, a surprising 2-2 draw between Denmark and Belarus kept Scotland's dream alive. Goals from Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie in the Greece match offered a glimmer of hope and showcased the emerging talent within the Scottish squad.
Adding to the tension, Denmark has been hit by a sickness bug within their camp. Key players, including Joachim Andersen and Rasmus Hojlund, missed the game against Belarus due to illness, casting doubt on their availability for the crucial match against Scotland.
Despite the setback in Greece, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been a stabilizing presence for Scotland. The 42-year-old, who replaced the injured Angus Gunn, made crucial saves in Athens and is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup. Key midfielder Scott McTominay will also be central to Scotland's approach, known for his important goals on the international stage.
Scotland will be without Billy Gilmour, who failed to recover from an injury. Lennon Miller and Ross McCrorie were also forced to withdraw from the squad, with Andy Irving and Connor Barron called up as replacements.
The atmosphere at Hampden Park is expected to be electric, with a sold-out crowd ready to support Scotland. Andy Robertson has called on the fans to create a positive atmosphere from the first whistle. Former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan believes that Scotland won't lose the match. He highlighted the talent in the midfield.
The match kicks off at 7:45pm BST. Fans around the country and beyond will be watching, as Steve Clarke's team aims to write a new chapter in Scottish football history.
