What is it like to play for Scotland at a World Cup?

Image source, SNSImage caption,

Darren Jackson, bottom left, and Paul Lambert, bottom right, were in Scotland's squad at France 98

ByAmy CanavanBBC Sport Scotland in Boston

Published40 minutes ago

Surreal. Special. The stuff of dreams.

Some of the replies from those lucky enough to know what it's like to play at a World Cup for Scotland when asked the question we all fantasise about.

This is uncharted territory for every one of the 26-man squad who will end Scotland's 28-year absence from the men's tournament this weekend.

A large proportion of Steve Clarke's players do have European Championship experience, but don't know what it's like to play on the biggest stage of them all. To have the eyes of the world on the boys in dark blue.

No pressure, lads.

This is also a new thing for a whole generation of Scots - players and fans alike - who have grown up meticulously making their case for their tournament team in the absence of their home nation. No need for a second team this time.

So for those of us experiencing all this for the first time, what can we expect to see? What is it like to play at the World Cup with Scotland?

Scotland return to centre stage at last in must-win World Cup opener
- Published3 hours ago
The rise and rise of 'Meatball' McGinn
- Published1 day ago
Is Shankland finally the striker Scotland have been waiting for?
- Published1 day ago

'When Ronaldo is standing next to you, reality kicks in'

BBC Sport Scotland called on the knowledge of 1998 World Cup squad members Darren Jackson and Paul Lambert, as well as the last player to captain Scotland at the women's finals in 2019, Rachel Corsie, to enlighten and excite us.

All three said it was "surreal".

Lambert and Corsie explained the build-up - the bit where the fans are frantically booking planes, trains and automobiles - as perhaps being the most "stressful" part of the process from qualifying.

"You're like, I want to be in the best condition of my life," said Corsie, who skippered Scotland in France seven years ago said.

"I don't want to get hurt, I want to get selected, I want to be playing for my club, there's so many things that you're thinking and you just think, I just want us to get there."

"It feels like endless build-up," Lambert added.

"Then, when you're selected, that's when it really sinks in that you know the summer could be the greatest tournament for the national team. It's the best tournament."

For Jackson, who didn't make his international debut until he was 28, said it wasn't until he lined up in the Stade de France for the tournament opener against Brazil that things started to feel real.

"When you're standing in the tunnel and the guy standing next to you is Ronaldo, reality kicks in," he explained.

Add Rivaldo, Dunga, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and the rest and you've got a point, Darren. Gulp.

2026 World Cup: Haiti v Scotland

Sunday, 14 June (02:00 BST)

Boston Stadium, United States

Watch on iPlayer Listen on Sounds

Watch match coverage on the BBC iPlayer, listen to live commentary on BBC Sounds, and follow text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

'A moment to cherish the rest of your life'

No disrespect to Haiti, but it's not quite the same opening glamour game 28 years on for Scotland, although the occasion is just as outrageously cool.

"It's what you dream of when you're playing in the streets with your mates," Champions League winner Lambert said.

"There's no fatigue. You don't have time for fatigue and you don't think about the season that's going to come up on you in a few months' time.

"All you do is think about the games and the occasion you're going to play."

It can be a bit of a balancing act, though, as Corsie experienced.

"I probably leaned too heavily into trying to not let the occasion be something that threw me off," she said.

"I probably felt I probably didn't let myself enjoy it enough, and that would be the one thing I would say, that I hope the players do manage to enjoy it.

"Because this is going to be a moment in your career you're going to cherish for the rest of your life. Your family and friends will be so proud.

"Everyone wants to make sure the players who are there performing actually go and enjoy the moment, because what a special thing to go and do."

'Club atmosphere key'

The word 'go' there is a big one. It's a long time to be away from family and spend with a squad and staff.

The good thing is, this crop can't wait to do it. They never tire of telling us that.

The class of 1998 had the same togetherness - Lambert cited the "club atmosphere" Craig Brown built - which made the long hours and downtime much easier.

"We were like clubmates," Jackson said. "We didn't all just sit in the same seats in the meetings or at dinner, you just came in and sat with anybody and everyone got along. It was brilliant.

"Much like the squad now. They enjoy meeting up, seeing each other and playing alongside each other."

Nowadays, they don't only do that, they have a round of golf when they can and play the PlayStation together. Didn't have that in the 90s.

For Corsie in France, where a lot of travelling was also involved, there were "a lot of card games and lots of coffee trips".

John McGinn did call John Souttar the barista...

'Embrace it; enjoy it'

The world has changed a fair bit since the Scots last graced the big stage in the men's game so it's safe to say almost everything is going to be different this time - including the goodies.

We've heard from the squad this week that a picture of their younger selves in a Scotland shirt greeted them in their room at their base camp in Charlotte, while captain Andy Robertson delivered a gift box and hand-written message to each team-mate.

Jackson and Lambert didn't get the same from their skipper, Colin Hendry. But Jackson did confirm he still has the kilt he famously walked out in in Paris.

"It's hanging in the wardrobe," he said. "We also got a wee keyring and a pennant from Brazil."

Corsie kept ticket stubs and stickers from various coffee shops - and she insists the most important thing to have at the World Cup was a good coffee station.

Remembering your boots was the message she and Jackson passed on - thankfully kitman Jim McAlister is on the ball - while the former forward had some final words of wisdom.

"The most important thing is you've got to embrace it," he added.

"You've got to enjoy it because it's the pinnacle you've got there. From a wee boy, you'd put a Scotland strip on and you'd never think you're going to stand in a World Cup game representing your country.

"So you've got to enjoy it."

It's over to you, lads...