Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach signs new contract to lead national side until 2030 World Cup

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has agreed a new deal to stay as national team boss until the 2030 World Cup.

The 62-year-old, who was out of contract after this summer's World Cup, is the only man to lead the team to three major tournaments

He also holds the record for the most Scotland matches managed, with 76.

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Scotland begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti on June 14, before group matches against Morocco and Brazil.

Following this summer's tournament in the USA, Clarke will hope to lead Scotland to the UK and Ireland co-hosted Euros in 2028, and then the World Cup in four years.

'Honoured' Clarke: Stability key for Scotland

Speaking after signing his new four-year deal, Clarke said: "I am truly honoured to lead my squad into our first men's World Cup in 28 years and I'm proud to continue as head coach.

"I know the Scotland supporters appreciate the achievements of this group in qualifying for back-to-back Euros and equally sure the whole nation rejoiced in our qualification for World Cup 2026 after such a long time.

"It's very important to look ahead and plan for the future and, while my squad will be doing everything in their power to compete and make the country proud in America this summer, it also gives us certainty ahead of the tournament knowing that we can look to build on those foundations for the long-term and it is a privilege to continue in this role.

"Stability is the key to success in football and this has certainly been the case during my last seven years as head coach. It's important we evolve and make improvements and I look forward to working with the new chief football officer, Craig Mulholland, to increase the pipeline of talent to the senior squad through the national youth teams.

"For now, it's all about preparing for the World Cup, starting against Curaçao this weekend."

SFA chief Maxwell: We can not rest on achievements

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell, who appointed Clarke in 2019, added: "On behalf of the board I am delighted that we have agreed with Steve to continue as men's head coach. His record speaks for itself: three finals tournament qualifications out of four, including consecutive Euros finals and, of course, an imminent World Cup return after nearly three decades.

"Beyond that, he has built a squad that the nation has taken to its heart, making Barclays Hampden a fortress once again. During our discussions about the future, we were all agreed that we cannot rest on our achievements or ever take qualification for granted.

"The passion and enthusiasm with which he discussed that road map emphasises that this will not simply be a continuation but a renewed purpose and focus over the next four years."

What is Scotland's record under Clarke?

Clarke was appointed Scotland head coach in May 2019, replacing Alex McLeish after guiding Kilmarnock to third in the Scottish Premiership.

He sealed the nation's first appearance at a major tournament since 1998 as a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Serbia secured Scotland's place at Euro 2020.

Clarke then guided Scotland to a play-off spot in his first World Cup qualifying campaign, only to then lose to Ukraine.

After missing out on Qatar in 2022, Scotland sealed their place at Euro 2024 as the Tartan Army descended on Germany.

He has now brought back World Cup football after a dramatic campaign ended with a famous victory against Denmark. Who will ever forget Scott McTominay's overhead kick or Kenny McLean from the halfway line?

While the Tartan Army have been frustrated by poor performances at international tournaments - Scotland exited Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 with just three goals scored and not a single win across six games - few can doubt Clarke is something of an expert when it comes to qualifying campaigns.

Clarke is the first manager to lead Scotland to three major tournaments, yet the Tartan Army at times have been divided on how good a job he has done in his seven years in charge.

How Scotland evolved under Clarke

Clarke's tenure began with a Euro 2020 qualifier against Cyprus, and he delivered a winning start with a 2-1 victory.

Of those included in his first squad, just six players have been named in his 26-man party for this summer's World Cup.

From the starters in Cyprus, Andy Robertson, John McGinn, McLean and Scott McKenna remain.

McTominay also made an appearance in that game and has become key to Scotland's success in recent years.

Rangers' John Souttar was named in Clarke's first squad but did not feature in the game, while Grant Hanley missed out on Clarke's first match, but made his debut back in 2011 and has remained a constant.

Clarke has benefitted from having a talented group at his disposal, but he has lacked a goalscoring striker.

He found a way to get goals from McGinn and McTominay, and it is the midfield duo who have had the most goal involvements during his reign.

Aston Villa captain McGinn has scored 20 times and set up another 10 in 69 caps under Clarke, while Napoli's McTominay is on 14 goals and two assists in 61 games.

Strikers Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes were handed their debuts by Clarke. Adams, currently at Torino, has managed 11 goals in 46 appearances, while Charlton's Dykes has netted 10 times in 50 games.

The manager has been loyal to his players - McGinn has featured most for him throughout his tenure, with captain Robertson, McTominay and Ryan Christie behind him.

Celtic duo Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney and Rangers pair Souttar and Liam Kelly have been the most constant players from the Scottish Premiership, with all four handed a place in Clarke's World Cup squad.

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But he has also introduced several new players as he looks to the national team's future.

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland won his first Scotland cap in October 2019 and has made 18 appearances, scoring four goals.

Midfielder Ben Gannon-Doak made his debut in September 2024, quickly reaching 12 caps. The 21-year-old is in Clarke's squad for America after missing the March friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast through injury.

Ipswich Town's George Hirst switched allegiance from England to Scotland in March 2025 and made his debut the same month, with his first goal coming against Liechtenstein that June.

Findlay Curtis, 19, was the latest young player to break into Clarke's team when he made his debut in the friendly against Japan in March and he will be on the plane this summer after a strong few months on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers.

Lennon Miller was just 18 when he was handed his first call-up in March 2025 and made his first appearance against Iceland three months later. The Udinese defender has earned four Scotland caps, but did not make the cut for the World Cup after a tough debut season in Italy.

What's next for Clarke and Scotland?

First up is Scotland's first World Cup since 1998.

Their opening match is against Haiti in Boston on June 13 at 9pm local time - but that's 2am on June 14 UK time!

Scotland stay on in Boston to face Morocco on June 19 at 6pm local time - 11pm UK time. Then it's down to Miami to take on Brazil five days later, and that's another 11pm UK time kick-off.

Clarke will aim to be the first boss to lead the national side out of the group stages, and then attention will turn to their Nations League campaign, with the first tie away to Slovenia on September 26.

They play their six group games in a short three-month window, concluding with a trip to take on Switzerland on November 16.

Scotland were demoted from League A after a play-off defeat by Greece last year and return to the second tier for this year's competition.

Scotland's World Cup squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Ben Gannon-Doak (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli).

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Ross Stewart (Southampton).

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Steve Clarke: Scotland head coach signs new contract to lead national side until 2030 World Cup