Major Fifa rule change adds emphasis on Scotland’s Nations League results

STEVE CLARKE benefited from the Nations League qualification route to return Scotland to the major tournament stage.

But now it could have a major bearing on the boss’ final tournament in charge – how and if we get there.

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Scotland have edged up the ranks in the Nations League since it kicked off in 2018.

Andy Robertson, John McGinn and co have reached the top section – A league pitting them against the continent’s top teams over the next three months.

And results have served us well in the past too.

Alex McLeish sealed a play-off double-header with Israel and Serbia before Clarke took over – a switch that sparked those epic scenes after David Marshall‘s penalty shoot-out save in Belgrade and the Tartan Army‘s return to a major tournament after 22-years at Euro 2020.

However a space at this summer‘s Euro 2024 in Germany was booked the traditional way – via qualifying – as Scotland finished second in the section behind Spain.

Now though, the Nations League will have a say in 2026.

A leaked Fifa plan has hinted teams’ seeding at the top end of the competition qualifiers will be dictated by their Nations League position, and not world ranking as previously used – though that DOES come in later.

The World Cup qualifying draw is still a few months away and will follow Scotland completing their A-league schedule against Poland, Portugal and Croatia, which kicks off at Hampden on Thursday.

The document suggests the top eight teams in the Nations League will be seeded TOP for the qualifiers.

That means if Steve Clarke can trump two other sides over the next couple of months we’ll benefit from a Pot 1 place in the World Cup draw – potentially clearing a route across the Atlantic with crossing swords with Europe‘s big guns.

Or at least facing fewer of them.

Clarke WILL face some of the best before then though – hosting hot-shot Robert Lewandowski on Thursday before heading to Euro 2016 champions Portugal on Sunday. Still to come in the campaign are 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.

But the games will now take on added importance if the leaked memo is to be put into practice.

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It states: “The eight Uefa Nations League quarter-finalists (“UNL QF”) are seeded in Pot 1, irrespective of their rank in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men‘s World Ranking applicable for the draw.

“The UNL QF participants will be represented by placeholders for the EQ draw. Each placeholder represents either the winner or the defeated team of a QF pairing. The UNL QF pairings will have been drawn in advance by UEFA on 22 November 2024.

“The four remaining teams of Pot 1 are the best-ranked teams of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking that are not involved in the UNL QF.”

It adds: “The teams not allocated to Pot 1 will, in principle, save for the necessary pot adjustments, be allocated to pots 2-5 according to the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking.

“Depending on the number of teams in each pot that need to be available to play in the UNL promotion/relegation play-offs in March 2025, draw pot adjustments may be required.”

Scotland have seen Robby McCrorie, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and Che Adams all withdraw from the initial squad selection, while Rangers midfielder Connor Barron, Dundee keeper Jon McCracken and defender Josh Doig have been drafted in as back-up.

Sunsport told how Torino striker Adams withdrew despite being fully-fit and has requested time off to settle into life in Italy.

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