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For the Tartan Army, the upcoming football tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico will be the ninth in history and the first since 1998. The team’s objective is to reach the knockout stage for the first time. 

The new format offers additional hope: the number of participants has increased from 32 to 48, and teams can now advance from the group stage, even if they finish third. However, Scotland finds itself in a challenging group. Haiti appears to be the clear underdog in Group C, while Brazil and Morocco are both targeting deep runs in the tournament.

Manager Steve Clarke must assemble the strongest possible squad. It is hard to imagine the Scotland national team without Celtic players, and today 1xBet Ireland takes a look at which members of the current squad are most likely to travel to America. 

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You can find more details on the promo page, but for now, let’s return to Celtic and the Scotland national team.

Who could go but opted out: Callum McGregor

Before looking at who will be travelling, it is worth noting who will definitely miss out. For many years, the heart of Scotland’s midfield has been synonymous with Callum McGregor. However, the Celtic captain chose to step away from international football after Euro 2024 in order to focus on his club career. The coaches might persuade him to reconsider, but for now, McGregor made it clear he has no intention of returning to the team.

Who is certain to go and will be a starter: Kieran Tierney

Steve Clarke has repeatedly stated that he considers Kieran Tierney one of the national team’s key players. His presence allows for a switch to a back five at any moment. The Scotland manager abandoned this formation after Euro 2024, but returned to it during the March friendlies. Should Clarke opt for a back four (which is likely to be against Haiti), Tierney could either start centrally or provide cover for Andy Robertson on the left. 

Last summer, Kieran Tierney returned to his boyhood club Celtic, and the 2025–26 season has already become the most productive of his career. He surpassed his previous goal-scoring record (3) in early March. Only an injury is likely to prevent him from making the squad. 

Almost certain to travel: Anthony Ralston

The right-back lacks a regular spot in the Celtic first team, but this was also the case ahead of Euro 2024, where Anthony ultimately started all three matches. For Steve Clarke, Ralston is a proven performer who certainly deserves a place in the squad. 

Scotland has no shortage of injury-prone players, and the right-back position is no exception. Aaron Hickey, who represents Brentford, missed the March fixtures due to injury. Ralston, meanwhile, adapts well to any tactical system, something that should secure his place in the tournament squad. 

Called up, but unlikely to go: Ross Doohan and James Forrest

Back in the summer of 2025, Clarke viewed the 28-year-old Ross Doohan as a player who deserved a place in the squad. However, since returning to Celtic from Aberdeen, the goalkeeper has not made a single appearance, and a trip to the US looks unlikely. 

For 34-year-old James Forrest, this tournament could represent the perfect conclusion to his international career. He enjoyed a resurgence towards the end of the 2023–24 season, which earned him a place in the squad for Euro 2024. However, this season the winger has seen limited playing time and has settled into the role of an impact substitute, typically coming on for the final 20-30 minutes to bring experience and settle the game.

Hoping for a miracle: Luke McCowan

A couple of years ago, Luke McCowan was a key player for Dundee, yet even then, he did not make the squad for the Euro. He enjoyed a solid first season at Celtic, but his form has dipped this campaign. His ability to make late runs into attack remains a useful asset, but Scotland’s midfield is incredibly strong. McGinn, McTominay, Gilmour, Ferguson, and Christie are all more established options, and then there is young Miller, who would be a more logical choice as a wildcard.

There is some hope that Clarke will value McCowan’s versatility – he has often had to play on the flanks during his career. However, it would be unwise to rely on that: he was not called up even at his peak, and his inclusion now would be a major surprise. 

Conclusion: quality over quantity

Celtic’s representation in Scotland’s 2026 squad is unlikely to be extensive. The days when the national team’s backbone was made up of players from the country’s leading clubs are gone. Celtic itself is increasingly relying on foreign talent. But this will only serve as added motivation for the club’s young players to prove themselves in the future, so that more players from the legendary club represent Scotland at the next major tournaments.

Are you wondering how reliable is 1xBet? This international brand is a licensed bookmaker in Ireland and operates under official regulation. This means players can be confident in receiving their winnings and will always have plenty of options to support their favourite team. 

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