An England international could potentially switch his allegiance to Scotland ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland confirmed their spot at what will be their first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park on Tuesday (November 18).
Goals from Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland and two late strikes from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean ensured Steve Clarke’s team’s spot at the North America tournament despite Rasmus Hojlund and Patrick Dorgu’s strikes for the away side, who will now take part in March’s UEFA play-off.
McTominay is arguably the team’s most pivotal player, helped by experienced Premier League players Andrew Robertson and John McGinn, alongside exciting Bournemouth youngster Ben Gannon-Doak and Bologna midfielder Lewis Ferguson.
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Of course, like a number of the so-called less successful footballing nations, several Scotland internationals have been born outside of the nation – including McTominay, who was born in Lancaster, England, but qualifies to play for the side through his Helensburgh-born father.
Scotland head coach Clarke will be hoping his best players can remain both fit and in form ahead of the tournament, which is set to take place across the US, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19.
There’s even the potential for some English-born players to switch their allegiance ahead of the tournament with a view to representing Scotland.
Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett, who represented both England and Scotland at youth level, is one of many players who can switch, but his Magpies teammate Harvey Barnes is arguably one star that would get the Tartan Army excited about should he switch.
Barnes, 27, has one England cap to his name, which he won during a 3-0 friendly win against Wales back in October 2020.
Since then, the left-winger, who has registered four goals and two assists for Newcastle in 17 appearances this season, has been linked with potentially representing Scotland.
The Leicester academy product was born in Burnley, England, before being brought up in Leicestershire, but could qualify to play for Scotland through his maternal grandparents.
According to FIFA’s guidelines, players can switch if they haven’t earned a senior cap in a competitive match, which Barnes hasn’t, as his solitary appearance came in a friendly.
Several players have benefited from the rule previously, with England’s Declan Rice switching from the Republic of Ireland despite winning three senior caps for the nation before opting to play for the Three Lions in 2019.
Luke Davies