Scotland faces Denmark in decisive World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park

Scotland faces Denmark in decisive World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park

Scotland will meet Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday in a high-stakes World Cup qualifying clash, with a victory securing their place in the 2026 tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The match follows a 2-0 defeat to Greece in Athens over the weekend, but Denmark's unexpected draw with Belarus has kept Scotland's hopes alive.

The road to Tuesday's showdown

Scotland's campaign has been a rollercoaster of narrow escapes and hard-fought results. A resilient draw in Copenhagen, a dramatic comeback against Greece, and two wins over Belarus have kept them in contention. Despite Saturday's loss, Denmark's stumble against Belarus means Steve Clarke's side now controls its own destiny: win at home, and they qualify.

Yet inconsistency has been Scotland's hallmark. Their ability to defy expectations-sometimes for better, sometimes for worse-has left fans cautiously optimistic but far from confident. The weight of history looms large; Scotland has not reached a World Cup since 1998, when a lap of honor was held at a half-built Celtic Park.

A stadium steeped in history-and heartbreak

Hampden Park, Glasgow's iconic national stadium, bears the scars of past glories and near-misses. From Kenny Dalglish's elegance to Denis Law's triumphant arms and James McFadden's legendary strike in Paris, its walls echo with footballing lore. But since its late-1990s redevelopment, the stadium has also mirrored Scotland's struggles: a vast, often empty space reflecting decades of unfulfilled promise.

The Tartan Army, Scotland's devoted fanbase, has endured generations of disappointment. From the injustice of exiting the 1974 World Cup unbeaten to the crushing play-off loss to England in 1999, heartbreak has become familiar. Even recent European Championship appearances brought early exits, with just three goals scored across six matches in 2020 and 2024.

Clarke's revival-and the pressure to deliver

Steve Clarke, appointed in 2019, has revived Scotland's fortunes. After years of failure under six different managers, Clarke guided the team to back-to-back European Championships, blending defensive resilience with moments of flair. Landmark victories-over Spain at Hampden, Norway away, and Serbia on penalties-have restored belief.

But setbacks linger. The 2022 play-off collapse against Ukraine and a goalless Euro 2024 campaign underscore the fragility of progress. Clarke's side now faces its biggest test yet: a Denmark team that, despite its pedigree (five World Cup appearances in the last seven tournaments), has shown vulnerability, particularly in its recent draw with Belarus.

Key players and tactical questions

Scotland's squad boasts Premier League experience in Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Andy Robertson, and Billy Gilmour. Their blend of grit and creativity will be pivotal against a Danish side likely to dominate possession. Clarke's challenge is to harness the second-half intensity displayed in Greece-where Scotland created chances despite the loss-and translate it into a full 90-minute performance.

What's at stake

The equation is simple: win, and Scotland ends a 28-year World Cup drought. Lose or draw, and the wait continues. For a nation that has so often seen opportunity slip away, Tuesday's match is a rare chance to write a new chapter.

"The quality is there. The incentive is there. The opportunity is there. We are about to find out if the courage to take it is there."

Match details

Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow
Date: Tuesday, 18 November 2025
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC Scotland, BBC Two, and iPlayer; radio commentary on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Sounds; live text on the BBC Sport website and app.