Scotland aims for World Cup 2026 despite rough patch

Scotland's national football team, under the management of Steve Clarke, is currently facing a challenging period, having won only once in their last 15 matches. As they prepare to host Portugal in the Nations League, Clarke emphasizes his focus on leading the team to the 2026 World Cup in the Americas, rather than surpassing the number of matches managed by previous coaches Andy Roxburgh and Jock Stein. With Clarke set to reach 62 games in charge, a defeat against Portugal could mark a historic low for the team, potentially resulting in five consecutive losses for the first time. The team has not won in nine competitive games, a streak that stretches back over a year. Despite these challenges, Clarke expresses confidence in his squad, highlighting their achievements in recent years, including participation in two major tournaments and promotion to the top level of the Nations League. He urges fans to believe in the team's potential and emphasizes the importance of a positive result against Portugal to shift the current mood surrounding the team.