McTominay targets historic World Cup group stage progression with Scotland
Scotland midfield duo Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour exclusive on World Cup ambitions as nation returns to biggest stage after 28 years
Quick Look
- Scotland internationals Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have outlined their ambition to guide Scotland beyond the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, describing it as the potential highlight of their careers.
- The Napoli midfielders spoke to BBC Scotland as the tournament approaches in 50 days, with Scotland set to face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C.
- This marks Scotland's first World Cup appearance since 1998.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Scotland qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament. The 2026 World Cup is expanded to 48 nations, with the top two from each group plus eight best third-placed teams progressing to the knockout stages.
Scott McTominay has his sights set firmly on being part of the first Scotland team to progress beyond the group stage at a World Cup, saying it would be the highlight of his career. With the tournament 50 days away, McTominay and his Napoli colleague Billy Gilmour have been talking to BBC Scotland about their ambitions as Scotland return to the biggest stage for the first time in 28 years. The midfield duo provide an exclusive insight into their lives in Italy, which can be seen in 'Serie A Scots: Return to Naples' across the BBC on 1 May. Scotland open their campaign in Boston against Haiti on 13 June, then meet Morocco and Brazil in Group C. "It's going to be a special moment," said Gilmour, who was born a little under three years after Scotland's last World Cup appearance. "For all of us, the first time. A little bit of the unknown. But we go there and want to do well. "The aim is the first game, to win. And then we take it step by step from there. We want to go there with confidence and show how good a team Scotland is." With the competition expanded to 48 nations, the top two from each group progress, along with the eight best third-placed nations. "We want to get out of the group and take it from there," said McTominay, 29. "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 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."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Scotland will advance beyond the group stage
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will Scotland perform against top-tier opponents like Brazil?
- Will key players remain fit throughout the tournament?
