Scotland v Japan
International Friendly
Saturday, 28 March 2026 (5.00pm kick-off)
Barclays Hampden, Glasgow

Four months on from one of the most dramatic nights the stadium has ever seen, Scotland embark on the next stage of World Cup preparation as they take on visitors Japan.

With just 78 days between us and the opening blast of the whistle against Haiti in Foxborough, the final spots within Steve Clarke’s Scotland side are up for grabs as players seek to impress, and nail down their place as we return to the world stage for the first time since 1998.

Steve Clarke’s World Cup preparation kicks-off in earnest with ties against Japan at Hampden and Cote D’Ivoire in Liverpool during this international window, as he looks to bring the squad back together ahead of a massive summer of football for the national team.

While the bulk of the players who starred in the qualifying campaign remain within the squad, Steve Clarke has looked to offer opportunities to players like Tommy Conway, Dominic Hyam, Lennon Miller and Findlay Curtis as he assesses all his options before travelling to Charlotte, North Carolina this summer.

Team News 

Steve Clarke has a full complement of players to choose from in the squad he announced at Kirklandneuk Primary school. Newcomer Findlay Curtis will be looking to make an impression in his first came, with in-form forwards Tommy Conway and George Hirst looking to make their mark as well.

Previous Meetings 

Scotland have faced off against the Samurai Blue on three previous occasions, but this will be the first time on home soil. On their first meeting, Scotland held the hosts 0-0 in the Kirin Cup with a side featuring Brian Martin, Craig Burley and Paul Lambert.

2006 saw Scotland lift an international trophy at Saitama Stadium as a 0-0 draw, with side featuring Kris Boyd, Chris Burke and David Weir saw Scotland do enough to secure the Kirin Cup.

2009 saw George Burley’s Scotland defeated 2-0 in Yokohama after two late goals, an own goal from Scotland centre-half Christophe Berra and a 90th minute strike from Keisuke Honda saw the hosts secure the win.

How to Watch 

All of Scotland's qualifiers during the campaign will be live, free-to-air, on BBC One Scotland and the BBC IPlayer. 

Scotland Squad

Goalkeepers

Scott Bain Falkirk
Angus Gunn Nottingham Forest 
Liam Kelly Rangers 

Defender 

Grant Hanley Hibernian
Jack Hendry Al-Etiffaq
Dominic Hyam Wrexham
Ross McCrorie Bristol City 
Scott McKenna Dinamo Zagreb 
Nathan Patterson Everton*
Anthony Ralston Celtic 
Andy Robertson Liverpool
John Souttar Rangers 
Kieran Tierney Celtic 

Midfielders

Ryan Christie AFC Bournemouth 
Lewis Ferguson Bologna 
Billy Gilmour* Napoli 
Andrew Irving Sparta Prague 
John McGinn Aston Villa
Kenny McLean Norwich City 
Scott McTominay Napoli 
Lennon Miller Udinese 

Forwards 

Ché Adams Torino
Tommy Conway Middlesbrough 
Findlay Curtis Kilmarnock (on loan from Rangers) 
Lyndon Dykes Charlton Athletic
George Hirst Ipswich Town 

*denoted JD Performance School Graduate