International Challenge Match fixtures announced for 2018
Scotland will prepare for their 2018 UEFA Nations League campaign with a series of International Challenge matches against Costa Rica, Hungary, Peru and Mexico.
Scotland fans will be hoping to get the year off to a winning start when the team takes on Costa Rica in Scotland on Friday, 23 March at 7.45pm.
The match will mark the first time the two sides have met since Costa Rica recorded a shock 1-0 victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in their sole meeting thus far.
The team will then travel to Budapest, where they will face a Hungary side currently ranked 54th in the world on Tuesday, 27 March, kick-off 7pm, UK time.
The sides have gone toe to toe on eight occasions over the years, first meeting in 1938. Scotland have won two, drawn two and lost four during that time, with the two sides last meeting in 2004 at Hampden, the visiting team emerging 3-0 victors against Berti Vogts’ men.
Scotland will then travel across the Atlantic for two end of season fixtures, first facing Peru in Lima on Tuesday, 29 May, before taking on Mexico in Mexico City on Saturday, 2 June.
Scotland’s record against the Peruvians is delicately poised – Scotland have won one, drawn one and lost one of the three fixtures the sides have played since their first meeting in 1972 – while the match against Mexico will be the first time the two sides have ever played.
More information about the fixtures, including venue details, kick off times and ticket information will be confirmed in the near future.
Scotland Supporters Club (SSC) members will be given the first opportunity to purchase tickets for these fixtures, with more details about the SSC to be revealed imminently.
Stewart Regan, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “We are delighted to have secured such exciting opposition for our matches and I am looking forward to seeing the team continue on its current upward trajectory.
“I am sure our fans will relish away trips to Hungary, Peru and Mexico and will be looking forward to a long-overdue rematch against Costa Rica.”
The draw for the UEFA Nations League will take place on Wednesday, 24 January at 11am UK time, with Scotland in Pot One in League C. Read more about the UEFA Nations League format here.