Steve Clarke will name his 26-man Scotland squad for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with several positional battles still unresolved ahead of the tournament in North America. Scotland returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, kicking off against Haiti on June 14 in Boston. The core group that qualified will feature, but Clarke has hinted an outsider could sneak in.

The goalkeeper question looms large. Angus Gunn has barely played this season due to injury at Nottingham Forest, while Craig Gordon, 43, missed recent camp with shoulder issues. Scott Bain earned his first Scotland cap in seven years after moving to Falkirk, but will compete for a spot against others on the periphery. Clarke values loyalty but won't force selections on fitness alone.

Midfield looks settled with Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, and Ryan Christie all featuring in every qualifying squad. The forward line is more open, with Che Adams scoring five Serie A goals for Torino and Lawrence Shankland netting 16 last season before missing the March camp injured. George Hirst scored 11 times in the Championship and started the warm-up finale.

The biggest question mark sits up front. Clarke will be without Tommy Conway, who limped off injured in the play-offs. With Dykes scoring just one goal in 14 appearances since returning, Clarke's forward decision could define Scotland's tournament chances on the biggest stage in decades.