Scotland must get past group stage ´at all costs´ – McTominay sets World Cup target

Scott McTominay revealed one of the key messages in the Scotland team ahead of the 2026 World Cup is to “come out of the group at all costs”.

Scotland are heading to the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years after topping their qualifying group ahead of Denmark.

Steve Clarke’s side picked up 13 points from a possible 18 in a group which also featured Greece and Belarus.

Scotland will begin the tournament this summer, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, against Haiti on June 13.

They will then face Morocco before closing out Group C against record winners Brazil, with the top two teams guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds, while the top eight third-placed teams across the groups will also reach the round of 32.

McTominay, the Serie A MVP for the 2024-25 season, scored twice and provided one assist during Scotland’s qualifying campaign.

The Napoli midfielder believes Scotland have what it takes to progress to the knockout stage at the World Cup, but insisted they must have the right mentality.

“We want to get out of the group and take it from there,” McTominay told BBC Scotland.

McTominay uh-huh-uh-huh I like it #FIFAWorldCup | @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/TAceMrzuoP

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

“We have to change the mentality of the fact that we might not be top 10, 15, whatever. We need to change that mentality that we can play against anybody and do really well.

“That’s the key message going into the World Cup, prepare yourself well and make sure we come out of the group at all costs and I feel like we are more than capable of doing that.

“We all strive towards being one of the most successful Scottish teams in history.

“To do it with a group of guys that you have been around – like John [McGinn] and Andy [Robertson] have been there for 10 years – obviously me and Billy [Gilmour] have been six or seven years, so for us to do it all together and we have had a lot of time on the pitch together would be probably the highlight of your career.”