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Football fans have always been fascinated by transfer windows and the behind-the-scenes work of recruitment teams at their favourite clubs. However, when it comes to international football, player selection becomes a more intricate process, involving a different set of considerations. Recruitment at this level is a complex and nuanced art, often far more complicated than it appears.

Scotland is no exception. In a World Cup where many teams feature players whose birthplaces differ from the countries they represent, Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad also includes several players born beyond Scottish borders. This reflects a broader trend in modern football, where national teams often draw from a global pool of talent with diverse backgrounds.

So, just how many players in Scotland’s 26-man World Cup squad were born outside the country, and where exactly were they born?

Out of the 26 players selected for the tournament, seven were born outside Scotland. Among them, striker Lyndon Dykes stands out geographically — born in Queensland, Australia, to Scottish parents. He was raised in Australia before joining Queen of the South in 2014, ultimately choosing to represent Scotland at the international level.

Defender Kieran Tierney, another key member of the squad, was born in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. Although his family moved to Scotland before his first birthday, he remains the Isle of Man’s most prominent football export.

The other five non-Scottish-born players in the squad hail from England, just south of the border.

Napoli’s midfielder Scott McTominay, who developed his game at Manchester United, was born in Lancaster. Before making his Scotland debut in 2018, there was considerable debate about whether he would pledge allegiance to Scotland or England.

Another English-born player is Tyler Fletcher, born while his father, Darren Fletcher, was playing for Manchester United. The 19-year-old was a late call-up to replace the injured Billy Gilmour, who was born in Ayrshire and raised in Ardrossan.

Additionally, Che Adams (born in Leicester), George Hirst (born in Sheffield), and Angus Gunn (born in Norwich) all entered the world south of the Scottish border. While Gunn’s father, Bryan Gunn, is a proud Scot, George Hirst’s father, David Hirst, represented England three times at the senior level.

Here is a breakdown of Scotland’s 2026 World Cup squad by place of birth:

Che Adams – England

Ryan Christie – Scotland

Findlay Curtis – Scotland

Lyndon Dykes – Australia

Lewis Ferguson – Scotland

Tyler Fletcher – England

Ben Gannon-Doak – Scotland

Craig Gordon – Scotland

Angus Gunn – England

Grant Hanley – Scotland

Jack Hendry – Scotland

Aaron Hickey – Scotland

George Hirst – England

Dominic Hyam – Scotland

Liam Kelly – Scotland

John McGinn – Scotland

Scott McKenna – Scotland

Kenny McLean – Scotland

Scott McTominay – England

Nathan Patterson – Scotland

Anthony Ralston – Scotland

Andy Robertson – Scotland

Lawrence Shankland – Scotland

John Souttar – Scotland

Ross Stewart – Scotland

Kieran Tierney – Isle of Man

While the majority of the squad were born in Scotland, the inclusion of players from beyond its borders highlights the nation’s ability to attract talent with Scottish heritage from around the world — a reflection of both its footballing identity and its global connections.