Scotland at the FIFA World Cup

This article is a record of Scotland's results at the FIFA World Cup:

The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the Football World Cup or the Soccer World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

The tournament consists of two parts, the qualification phase and the final phase (officially called the World Cup Finals). The qualification phase, which currently take place over the three years preceding the Finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the Finals. The current format of the Finals involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup Finals is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.[1]

The Scottish Football Association is the second oldest in the world, having been founded in 1873. Its foundation came the year after the first official international match was played between Scotland and England at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow. Scotland have played at eight FIFA World Cups,[2] including five consecutive tournaments from 1974 to 1990. During the preparations for the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament, FIFA ruled that all its member associations must provide "broken-time" payments to cover the expenses of players from their country who participated. In response to what they considered to be unacceptable interference, the football associations of Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales held a meeting at which they agreed to resign from FIFA.[3] As a result, Scotland did not compete in the three interwar World Cup competitions. The Scottish Football Association did not rejoin FIFA as a permanent member until 1946.[4]

Scotland have never advanced beyond the first round of the finals competition. They have missed out on progressing to the second round three times on goal difference: in 1974, when Brazil edged them out;[5] in 1978, when the Netherlands progressed;[6] and in 1982, when the USSR went through.[7] Although Scotland have played at eight finals tournaments, they have qualified on nine occasions. The Scottish Football Association declined to participate in 1950 as Scotland were not the British champions.[8]

History

Scotland, like the other Home Nations, did not enter the three FIFA World Cups held during the 1930s. This was because the four associations had been excluded from FIFA due to a disagreement regarding the status of amateur players.[9] The four associations, including Scotland, returned to the FIFA fold after the Second World War.[9] The readmission of the Scottish Football Association to FIFA meant that Scotland were now eligible to enter the 1950 FIFA World Cup. FIFA advised that places would be awarded to the top two teams in the 1949–50 British Home Championship, but the SFA announced that Scotland would attend the finals only if Scotland won the competition.[10] Scotland won their first two matches, but a 1–0 home defeat by England meant that the Scots finished as runners-up.[10] The SFA stood by this proclamation, despite pleas to the contrary by the Scotland players, supported by England captain Billy Wright and the other England players.[10][11] Sportswriter Brian Glanville later described the SFA as showing "baffling insularity and pique" in their refusal to send a team to the World Cup.[10]

1954

The same qualification rules as in 1950 were in place for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, with the 1953–54 British Home Championship acting as a qualifying group. Scotland again finished second, but this time the SFA allowed a team to participate in the Finals, held in Switzerland. To quote the SFA website, "The preparation was atrocious".[12] The SFA only sent 13 players to the finals, even though FIFA allowed 22-man squads at the tournament.[13][14] Despite this self-imposed hardship in terms of players, the SFA dignitaries travelled in numbers, accompanied with their wives.[13] Scotland lost 1–0 against Austria in their first game in the finals.[14] After falling out with the SFA, probably due to the poor preparation of the team, manager Andy Beattie resigned hours before the game against Uruguay.[10][15][14] Uruguay were reigning champions and had never before lost a game at the World Cup finals. The gulf in class was exposed in horrific fashion as Uruguay won 7–0.[10][12][16][14]

1958

Scotland qualified for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, finishing ahead of Spain.[10] Matt Busby had been due to manage the team at the World Cup, but the severe injuries he suffered in the Munich air disaster meant that trainer Dawson Walker took charge of the team instead.[10] In their first match at the finals Scotland achieved a creditable draw against Yugoslavia.[10] Players Archie Robertson and Tommy Docherty were sent to watch next opponents Paraguay and they reported back that Paraguay was a "rough, fit and good" team.[10] Walker chose to ignore this advice and left out some of his combative players, including Docherty, and Scotland lost 32.[10] They exited the competition after also losing to France.[10]

1974

Billy Bremner (right) playing for Scotland at the Westfalenstadion in the 1974 FIFA World Cup

Scotland failed to qualify for another World Cup in the next 16 years.[10] A "skilful but fragile" team lost a play-off to Czechoslovakia in qualification for 1962.[10] A team managed by Jock Stein, but deprived of many of its best players due to club commitments, lost a decisive qualifier against Italy in Naples for the 1966 tournament.[10] A narrow defeat by West Germany in Hamburg then ended hopes of qualifying for 1970.[10]

Willie Ormond was appointed Scotland manager in 1973. Ormond lost his first match in charge 5–0 to England, but recovered to steer Scotland to their first World Cup finals in 16 years in 1974. At the 1974 World Cup finals in West Germany, Scotland achieved their most impressive performance at a World Cup tournament.[17] The team was unbeaten but failed to progress beyond the group stages on goal difference.[10][17] After beating Zaire, they drew with both Brazil and Yugoslavia, and went out because they had beaten Zaire by the smallest margin.[5] This performance has been assessed as a "gallant failure", but the choice to retain possession instead of pressing for more goals against Zaire has been criticised.[10]

1978

Scotland appointed Ally MacLeod as manager in 1977. Scotland qualified for the 1978 FIFA World Cup with victories over Czechoslovakia and Wales.[18] During the build-up to the tournament, MacLeod fuelled the hopes of the nation by stating that Scotland would come home from Argentina with a medal.[19] As the squad left for the finals, they were given an enthusiastic send off as they were paraded around a packed Hampden Park.[20] Thousands more fans lined the route to Prestwick Airport as the team set off for South America.[19] This enthusiasm was not just generated internally, as respected coaches such as Rinus Michels and Miljan Miljanić rated Scotland amongst the favourites to win the competition.[10][21] The Royal Mail commissioned designs of commemorative stamps that would have been circulated if Scotland had won the World Cup.[22]

Scotland's first game was against Peru in Córdoba. Two spectacular goals by Teófilo Cubillas meant that the result was a 3–1 loss. The second game was a very disappointing 1–1 draw against Iran.[19] Scotland had not even scouted Iran. The disconsolate mood of the nation was reflected by footage of Ally MacLeod in the dugout with his head in his hands.[23] MacLeod had made strange selection choices, picking inexperienced full-backs and retaining the out-of-form Bruce Rioch and Don Masson.[10]

After taking a single point from their opening two games, Scotland had to defeat the Netherlands by three clear goals to progress.[6] Despite the Dutch taking the lead, Scotland fought back to win 3–2 with a goal from Kenny Dalglish and two from Archie Gemmill, the second of which is considered one of the greatest World Cup goals ever;[19] Gemmill beat three Dutch defenders before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed into the net.[19][24] The victory was not sufficient to secure a place in the second round, however, as Scotland were eliminated on goal difference for the second successive World Cup.[6] This performance against strong opponents only heightened the frustration at the poor results earlier in the competition.[10] MacLeod initially retained his position, but resigned later that year.[10]

1982

Jock Stein, who had won nine consecutive Scottish league titles and the European Cup as manager of Celtic, was appointed Scotland manager in 1978.[25] After failing to qualify for the 1980 European Championship,[18] Scotland qualified for the 1982 FIFA World Cup from a tough group including Sweden, Portugal, Israel and Northern Ireland, losing just one match in the process.[26] They were then drawn in a "Group of death" with New Zealand, Brazil and the Soviet Union.[10] Scotland beat New Zealand by 5–2 in their first game, but then lost 4–1 to a Brazil team containing Socrates, Zico, Eder and Falcão.[7] Scotland were again eliminated on goal difference, after a 2–2 draw with the Soviet Union. This match is best remembered for defenders Alan Hansen and Willie Miller colliding while chasing a long ball, which allowed the Soviets to run through and score.[10]

1986

Scotland qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, their fourth in succession, in traumatic circumstances. The squad went into their last qualification match against Wales needing a point to progress to a qualifying playoff against Australia. With only nine minutes remaining and Wales leading 1–0, Scotland were awarded a penalty kick, which was calmly scored by Davie Cooper.[27] The 1–1 draw meant that Scotland progressed, but as the players and fans celebrated, national coach Jock Stein suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterwards.[27] His assistant Alex Ferguson took over.[25] Scotland qualified by winning 2–0 against Australia in a two-leg playoff, but were again drawn into a group of death, this time with Uruguay, Denmark and West Germany.[10][28] Scotland were eliminated from the tournament with just one point from their three matches, a goalless draw with Uruguay.[29]

1990

Scotland qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup in 1990 by finishing second in their qualifying group, ahead of France.[30] Scotland were drawn in a group with Costa Rica, Sweden, and Brazil, but the Scots lost 1–0 to Costa Rica.[31] While they recovered to beat Sweden 2–1 in their second game, they lost to Brazil in their third match 1–0 and were once again eliminated after the first round.[31] Goalkeeper Jim Leighton fumbled a shot that allowed Brazil to score the only goal.[10]

1998

Craig Brown guided Scotland to qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, finishing as the best runners-up. Scotland were drawn against holders Brazil in the opening game of the World Cup.[32] John Collins scored from the penalty spot to level the score at 1–1, but a Tom Boyd own goal led to a 2–1 defeat. Scotland drew their next game 1–1 with Norway in Bordeaux,[2] but the final match against Morocco ended in a 3–0 defeat.[33] Scotland have not appeared at the World Cup since.

Statistics

Tournament summary

Year Final Tournament Qualification
Round Pld W D L F A Round Pld W D L F A
1930Did not enter[4]
1934
1938
1950Withdrew[8]Group – 2nd3201103
1954Round 1200208Group – 2nd311188
1958Round 1301246Group – 1st4301109
1962Did not qualifyGroup – 2nd53021211
1966Group – 2nd631288
1970Group – 2nd6312187
1974Round 1312031Group – 1st430183
1978Round 1311156Group – 1st430163
1982Round 1311188Group – 1st843194
1986Round 1301213Play-off8422104
1990Round 1310223Group – 2nd84221212
1994Did not qualifyGroup – 4th104331413
1998Round 1301226Group – 2nd10721153
2002Did not qualifyGroup – 3rd8431126
2006Group – 3rd1034397
2010Group – 3rd8314611
2014Group – 4th10325812
2018Group – 3rd105321712
2022TBD
Total8/212347122541125622835192136

Matches played

World Cup
(manager)
Round Opponent Score Result Venue Scotland scorers
1954
(Beattie)
Group stage Austria0–1LZürich&
 Uruguay0–7LBasel&
1958
(Walker)
Group stage Yugoslavia1–1DVästeråsMurray
 Paraguay2–3LNorrköpingMudie, Collins
 France1–2LÖrebroBaird
1974
(Ormond)
Group stage Zaire2–0WDortmundLorimer, Jordan
 Brazil0–0DFrankfurt&
 Yugoslavia1–1DFrankfurtJordan
1978
(MacLeod)
Group stage Peru1–3LCórdobaJordan
 Iran1–1DCórdobaEskandarian (o.g.)
 Netherlands3–2WMendozaDalglish, Gemmill (2)
1982
(Stein)
Group stage New Zealand5–2WMálagaDalglish, Wark (2), Robertson, Archibald
 Brazil1–4LSevilleNarey
 Soviet Union2–2DMálagaJordan, Souness
1986
(Ferguson)
Group stage Denmark0–1LNezahualcóyotl&
 West Germany1–2LQuerétaroStrachan
 Uruguay0–0DNezahualcóyotl&
1990
(Roxburgh)
Group stage Costa Rica0–1LGenoa&
 Sweden2–1WGenoaMcCall, Johnston
 Brazil0–1LTurin&
1998
(Brown)
Group stage Brazil1–2LSaint-DenisCollins
 Norway1–1DBordeauxBurley
 Morocco0–3LSaint-Étienne&

Head to head records

Final tournament head-to-head
Opponent P W D L GF GA %W %D %L
 Austria10010100100
 Brazil40132702575
 Costa Rica10010100100
 Denmark10010100100
 France10011200100
 Iran10101101000
 Morocco10010300100
 Netherlands11003210000
 New Zealand11005210000
 Norway10101101000
 Paraguay10012300100
 Peru10011300100
 Soviet Union10102201000
 Sweden11002110000
 Uruguay20110705050
 West Germany10011200100
 Yugoslavia20202201000
 Zaire11002010000

Qualifying

Qualifying head-to-head
Opponent P W D L GF GA %W %D %L
 Australia21102050500
 Austria421143502525
 Belarus421152502525
 Belgium40132802575
 Croatia42204150500
 Cyprus440018310000
 Czechoslovakia7304101542.86057.14
 Denmark22006110000
 England401341002575
 Estonia43108175250
 Finland22005210000
 France21012350050
 Iceland44008210000
 Ireland11008210000
 Israel22004110000
 Italy61233916.6733.3350
 Latvia44007110000
 Lithuania21104150500
 Macedonia412153255025
 Malta440012110000
 Moldova21103150500
 Netherlands20020400100
 Northern Ireland31204233.3366.670
 Norway61234916.6733.3350
 Poland20112305050
 Portugal40221705050
 Republic of Ireland22007110000
 San Marino22006010000
 Serbia20110205050
 Slovakia21011350050
 Slovenia42206250500
 Spain42028850050
 Sweden43015275025
  Switzerland421177502525
 Wales83234137.52537.5
 West Germany20113405050
 Yugoslavia20112405050

Appearances

No. Name Matches World Cups
1 Jim Leighton91986, 1990 and 1998
2 Kenny Dalglish81974, 1978 and 1982
3 Joe Jordan71974, 1978 and 1982
4 Alan Rough61978 and 1982
Graeme Souness61978, 1982 and 1986
Gordon Strachan61982 and 1986
Roy Aitken61986 and 1990
8 Martin Buchan51974 and 1978
Danny McGrain51974 and 1982
Willie Miller51982 and 1986
David Narey51982 and 1986
Alex McLeish51982, 1986 and 1990
Maurice Malpas51986 and 1990

Top goalscorers

No. Name Goals World Cups
1 Joe Jordan41974 (2), 1978 (1) and 1982 (1)
2 Archie Gemmill21978
Kenny Dalglish21978 and 1982
John Wark21982
5 Thirteen players1

Squads

See also

References

  1. 2006 FIFA World Cup TV Coverage (PDF), FIFA.com. Retrieved on June 6, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "Burley move pays off for Scotland". CNN. 1998-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  3. "British Society of Sports History". FIFA. 1999-08-19. Archived from the original on 2005-09-04. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  4. 1 2 "Between the Wars". Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 16 March 2005. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  5. 1 2 "World Cup 1974 finals". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  6. 1 2 3 "World Cup 1978 finals". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  7. 1 2 "World Cup 1982 finals". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  8. 1 2 "World Cup 1950 Qualifying". RSSSF. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  9. 1 2 "The four British associations return to FIFA after the Second World War: 25th FIFA Congress in Luxembourg in 1946". FIFA. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Freddi, Cris (June 1998). "Law of averages". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  11. BBC – A Sporting Nation – Scotland and the 1950 World Cup
  12. 1 2 Scottish Football Association: The Scottish FA: Football in Scotland
  13. 1 2 Murphy, Alex (4 June 2007). "Docherty: spirit is Scotland's secret weapon". The Times. News International.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Currie, David (19 June 2014). "Scotland's 7-0 loss to Uruguay remembered 60 years on". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  15. Andrew Ward, "Scotland: The Team" (The Breedon Book Publishing Company Limited, Derby, 1987), page 60.
  16. "World Cup 1954 finals". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  17. 1 2 Hepburn, Ray (21 March 2010). "Why the Scotland 1974 World Cup side gets my vote as best ever". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  18. 1 2 "Scotland – International Matches 1976–1980". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "1978 World Cup". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  20. Aitken, Mike (2 February 2004). "Ally MacLeod, a tragic hero". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  21. "World Cup: 25 stunning moments … No6: Scotland's 1978 rollercoaster". Guardian. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  22. Fraser, Graham (28 July 2017). "Scotland's World Cup win stamp makes Postal Museum archive". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  23. Young, Chick (7 February 2004). "Ally McLeod – a national treasure". BBC Scotland. BBC. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  24. "The lion roars – too late". The Scotsman. 19 November 2002. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  25. 1 2 "Scotland Manager Records". www.londonhearts.com. London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  26. "Scotland – International Matches 1981–1985". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
  27. 1 2 Brown, Craig (11 September 2005). "Stein, a national treasure". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  28. Gibbons, Mike (24 June 2014). "The original World Cup Group of Death in Mexico lacked for nothing in 1986". Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  29. "World Cup 1986". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  30. "World Cup 1990 Qualifying". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  31. 1 2 "World Cup 1990 (Italy, 8 June – 8 July)". Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
  32. "Scotland Open the World Cup 1998". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
  33. "Craig Brown's highs and lows". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 October 2001. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
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