Harry Souttar, 27, felt a sharp shift when his brother Aaron vanished in 2022. The former Leicester defender, eligible for Socceroos through his Australian‑born mum, recalls Aaron watching his school matches, saying, “I’d always love it.” That moment set a tone of sacrifice and ambition for both brothers ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament.

John Souttar, 29, battled injuries through stints at Dundee United, Hearts and Rangers before scoring his first Scotland goal against Denmark. He dedicated that strike to Aaron, saying, “My brother Aaron, he’s at home.” The tribute underscores how the loss forged a tighter bond, with both players now carrying tattooed reminders of their brother’s influence.

Both brothers will open their World Cup campaigns on Sunday, with Scotland facing Haiti at 02:00 BST and Australia taking on Turkey at 05:00. Harry, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, stresses pride in seeing John, noting, “I’m over moon that he’s here.” Their shared grief has become a source of unity.

With the Souttars split across the United States and Canada, fans in both nations will watch their siblings tackle different groups. The brothers’ tattoos, each bearing Aaron’s likeness, serve as living memorials. As the tournament begins, their story reminds the football world that personal loss can fuel national pride and collective resilience for all teams.