Newcastle forward Barnes ´not closed off´ to Scotland call-up

Newcastle United attacker Harvey Barnes is “not closed off” to potentially playing for Scotland at next year’s World Cup.

Scotland qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 by beating Denmark 4-2 at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

Steve Clarke’s team will discover their group-stage opponents when the World Cup draw is made on December 5.

Barnes is a Premier League regular, but has only played 17 minutes of football for England’s senior team, having featured as a substitute in a friendly against Wales in 2020. He has not been called up by Thomas Tuchel, despite scoring nine times in the Premier League for Newcastle last season.

As such, the 27-year-old is eligible to play for Scotland through his grandparents, and Barnes has not closed the door on switching allegiance.

We. Are. There. #FIFAWorldCup | @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ExRxseDPLD

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 19, 2025

“It’s not something I’ve really spoken about or put thought into recently,” Barnes told Sky Sports.

“There’s always been talk about it and a while ago there were bits and bobs about it. But recently it’s not cropped up.

“It was great to see them win and get through last night, it was a crazy game, and I’m sure everyone in Scotland enjoyed themselves.

“Is it closed off? No, of course it’s not. I’ve obviously played for England and I know the eligibility side of it is still there so it’s hard to say either way but there’s been no real chats or progression in that sense.”

Barnes has scored 50 Premier League goals and provided a further 32 assists in the competition across his spells with Leicester City and Newcastle, having played 211 games in England’s top flight.