LOOKING AHEAD
Who Scotland could face in next Nations League B campaign – which could be first without Steve Clarke
Read on for more info about the potentially huge ties that offer another route to Euro 2028
SCOTLAND could face the two Irelands in the next Nations League qualifying tournament.
Sunday’s defeat to Greece sees Scotland drop down into League B for the 2026-27 tournament.
2
2
Scotland will be in Pot 1 - but could be drawn against Euro 2024 opponents Switzerland if the draw is unkind.
They’re in Pot 2 alongside Bosnia, Austria and Ukraine.
The Republic of Ireland are in Pot 3 alongside Slovenia, Georgia and Romania.
Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland and Kosovo make up Pot 4.
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The draw is likely to be made early next year with the six qualifying matches beginning in September 2026.
Scotland also learned their opponents for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Denmark's loss to Portugal in the Nations League quarter-finals dropping them into Group C as the fourth and final team.
Scotland, Belarus and Greece had already been drawn into the group.
The 2026-27 Nations League campaign would be the first for a new Scotland boss if Steve Clarke follows through with his suggestion to quit following next summer’s World Cup.
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Asked by SunSport before the double-header against Greece if he’d made a firm decision on his own future, Clarke said: “I’ll go on percentages — 75 per-cent.
“I haven’t spoken to my bosses about it.
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“I said before the September camp last year that I’m going into the last year of my contract.
“I’m going to run my contract down. And then we’ll see what happens.”
Quizzed further on whether he could be tempted to extend his deal, Clarke joked: “Only if you guys want me!
“It’s one of those things. I’ve decided I want to run my contract down. If we have a fantastic year and get to the World Cup, maybe someone can persuade me to stay.
“But at this moment in time, I’m happy to run my contract down.
“I want to go to North America, that’s the bottom line. I want to help this group of players to the World Cup.”
NATONS LEAGUE B POTS
Pot 1
SCOTLAND
Hungary
Poland
Israel
Pot 2
Switzerland
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Austria
Ukraine
Pot 3
Slovenia
Georgia
Republic of Ireland
Romania
Pot 4
Sweden
North Macedonia
Northern Ireland
Kosovo
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page