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Scotland’s near three-decade exile from the World Cup will finally come to an end this summer after securing qualification with an unforgettable 4-2 win over Denmark late last year.
While it was Scott McTominay who took the headlines for his jaw-dropping overhead kick to score the opener, Steve Clarke’s side had several heroes throughout their qualification campaign, with youngsters such as Lennon Miller and Ben Gannon-Doak also playing key roles in helping Scotland finally achieve their World Cup dream.
With several up-and-coming young Scottish talents now plying their trade at some of Europe’s biggest clubs, the Tartan Army are wondering who will be next to emerge from the youth set-up and lay their claim for inclusion in Scotland’s senior side.
Here are the 18 Scottish teenage talents we’re tipping to make an impact in 2026:
1. Cameron Williams - Liverpool
Another highly-rated full-back on the books of an English Premier League giant, the 17-year-old has already trained with the Scotland senior side. Played for England youth up until the age of 16; however, the Liverpool-born teenager opted to switch allegiances to Scotland last year. He started all of Scotland under-17's European Championship qualifiers recently, and scored a brace against Lithuania. With senior captain Andy Robertson available to pass on advice at the Reds' training ground, the youngster is in a great place to continue his development. | SNS Group
2. Andrew Tod - Dunfermline Athletic
The spectacle-wearing striker has exploded into life for Neil Lennon's side this season, scoring nine goals and assisting a further two as the Pars chase promotion to the top flight. Capped by Scotland under-21's late last year, his rapid development during the season has seen him touted as a potential star of the future, while the versatility that can see him play in a No. 10 or striker role has also been praised. | SNS Group
3. Callan Hamill - Arsenal
Having emerged from the St Johnstone academy, the right-back made his first-team debut at McDiarmid Park as a 16-year-old last year. Snapped up by European giants, Arsenal, in the summer, Hamill has captained the Gunners' youth teams already this season. His long-range passing ability, versatility, and leadership have already earned comparisons to former Liverpool title winner and current Real Madrid full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. | Getty Images
4. Fletcher Boyd - Aston Villa
The Aberdeen youngster was purchased by Unai Emery's title-chasing side for a fee of £1million in the summer. The Scotland youth international exploded onto the scene at Pittodrie as a 16-year-old, scoring on his debut in a 4-0 win over Hibs back in 2024. Having only turned 17 in January, the attacking midfielder is still learning his trade, but is expected to grow exponentially in the next few seasons after moving to one of the English Premier League's top clubs. | SNS Group