when did scotland last play in the world cup

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Nature

Scotland last played in the FIFA World Cup in 1998, which took place in France; that was their most recent appearance before qualifying again for the 2026 World Cup, ending a gap of nearly three decades without participation in the finals.

1998 World Cup Details

  • Scotland's 1998 campaign in France saw them compete in a group with Brazil, Norway, and Morocco. Their results included a loss to Brazil, a draw with Norway, and a loss to Morocco, after which they were eliminated in the group stage.

Recent Qualification

  • In late 2025, Scotland secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their return to the tournament after a 28-year absence.

Scotland's fans have celebrated this achievement, recalling that before 2026, their national team had not been seen on the World Cup stage since that 1998 appearance.