Scotland fans will still be recovering after the excitement and drama of that game against Denmark – and possibly planning a trip to North America next summer. For the first time since 1998, Scotland will be part of the biggest football tournament on the planet, and there will undoubtedly be some Celtic personnel in Steve Clarke’s squad.
If you’re thinking of backing Scotland to win World Cup 2026, you may want to read an honest Lucky Rebel sportsbook review. But you will also need to know the calibre of player taking part in FIFA’s showpiece event next year. Fortunately, as Celtic fans, you will already have a good idea about some of those preparing for the tournament.
Celtic has always been a club that top internationals are drawn to, and there will be a number of the current squad expecting to get the call-up from their international head coaches. Here are some of the Celts you may be watching next summer.
Scotland Squad
Celtic has always provided a steady stream of players for the Scotland national side, and there will be a few sure of making the final squad for World Cup 2026 – none more so than Kieran Tierney. The hugely talented and popular defender has endured a torrid time with injuries over the years, but all his hard work has now paid off with a stunning goal that ultimately booked Scotland’s World Cup berth.
Tierney scored the third against Denmark and will now surely be hoping to add to his 53 caps next summer. Whether he will score a goal anywhere near as important at the tournament remains to be seen. Anthony Ralston will also be hoping to make the cut, as more of a squad player, and will continue to show Steve Clarke he’s worth a go in the remainder of the season. Back-up keeper Ross Dohan did get his first international call-up in June but will probably miss out on the World Cup.
Host Nations
Many Scottish fans will be hoping that the Celts in the squad can fire the national team to glory. But there are others who ply their trade in green and white hoops who will be representing their own countries – and that includes a group who will be all too familiar with their surroundings.
Mauricio Pochettino has been criticised for still not knowing his best team for the US national side, but he may look to two Celtic defenders for help. Austin Trusty played in the most recent friendlies and will be hoping he made a good impression. The race is on for Cameron Carter-Vickers, however. He would be a valued member of the US team, with World Cup experience already, but will now be hoping he recovers from his current achilles tendon injury in time.
Canada may also have Celtic representation, as it co-hosts its first World Cup finals. Alistair Johnston has been used sparingly this year for Celtic, but was selected for his national side in the summer and will be hoping to add to his collection of 56 caps.
On the Plane
Celtic has long had a strong connection with Japan, and the Blue Samurai will, once again, be representing Asia at next year’s finals. Reo Hatate was unlucky to miss out on the 2022 World Cup and will be pushing for inclusion this time around. He will be aiming to stay injury-free for the rest of the season. Shin Yamada is probably not ready, although he did earn his first cap earlier this year, while Daizen Maeda seems more of a guaranteed pick.
Two other Celts who remain on the fringes of their national set-ups are South Korea’s Yang Hyun-jun and Marcelo Saracchi of Uruguay. The Korean has played intermittently for his country over the last few years and will do well to break into the final squad. Saracchi is slightly more experienced and was called up for his national team in 2024 after an absence of four years. He will hope that his loan spell at Celtic Park improves his chances of making the finals.
Still Dreaming
The majority of the teams for World Cup 2026 are now known, but there are still a few places to be filled. The UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs all take place next March, and, once again, there is likely to be Celtic involvement. Kasper Schmeichel will no doubt be on the end of some friendly banter from his Scottish teammates over the next few months, but he will also be doing everything he can to help his Denmark side to join the party.
The Danes now face the uncertainty of the UEFA playoffs, as do the Republic of Ireland and Sweden. Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny might well be part of the Irish squad, while Benjamin Nygren will be striving to keep his level of performance up to earn himself a place in the Sweden group. Finally, Michael-Ange Balikwisha will be keen to show his talent for Celtic in the next few months, in order to cement a place in the DR Congo squad ahead of its inter-confederation playoffs in March.
Celtic Pride
Many of the national sides represented at Celtic Park will not be favorites to lift the World Cup in the US next summer. But all of the players mentioned will be doing their best to make the countries proud. With an expanded format, it might be more difficult than ever for a smaller nation to win the competition, but every Celtic fan will be cheering them on in the hope of a World Cup upset.
