Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed that a Premier League star has turned down the chance to represent the nation at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
National team managers will already be preparing for the World Cup, which will take place across the US, Canada and Mexico, despite the tournament being 119 days away.
Usual participants such as England, Spain, Brazil, France and reigning champions Argentina will form part of the newly expanded 48-team tournament, while the Tartan Army will also be making their first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.
Scotland qualified in dramatic circumstances back in November, with late strikes from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean seeing the side to a 4–2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park, which ensured their spot at the tournament.
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Key players Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn and Andrew Robertson will likely be some of the first names on Clarke’s team sheet, but another player who plays for a Champions League club has confirmed he will not be making an appearance for Scotland at the tournament.
Despite previous reports linking him with switching his allegiance to Scotland before the World Cup, Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes has decided against representing the nation for whom he is eligible to play through his maternal grandparents.
The 28-year-old has one cap for England from a friendly match against Wales in the autumn of 2020.
Clarke confirmed Barnes’ decision when he spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday (12 February).
“It’s the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it,” Clarke said.
“This time I can say for sure, Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he’s not going to come to Scotland.”
He added: “You can put that one out there. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more.
“Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on.”
Barnes has been in fine form for Newcastle this term, having registered 12 goals and two assists in 39 appearances for the Magpies.
But despite his form, a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad appears unlikely, with the player in competition with Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Ebere Eze on the left flank.
Topics: Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Scotland, FIFA World Cup
Luke Davies