Scotland are set to make their long-awaited return to the World Cup this summer after a 28-year absence, giving both fans and players from an entire generation their first opportunity to experience football’s most prestigious competition.

The memorable qualification campaign, which culminated with a dramatic victory over Denmark last year, has boosted optimism among supporters that this Scotland side can do more than simply participate.

Leading the team in North America will be captain Andy Robertson, a player who has already achieved nearly everything at club level and now stands on the brink of fulfilling another long-held personal ambition.

When asked about what playing in a World Cup means to him, Robertson told FourFourTwo, “That was always the goal. Qualifying for tournaments was one thing, but taking your country to a World Cup was always the biggest motivation. It’s the grandest stage, the pinnacle of football, and the tournament that every player dreams of being part of.”

He continued, “I’m not as young as I once was, and with the World Cup coming around only every four years, I knew this might be my last opportunity. I didn’t want to let that slip away — I wanted to give absolutely everything to make it happen. We ensured everything off the pitch was perfect, and then it was down to us to deliver on it. Credit to all the lads — we did just that. It’s a relief, of course, but also something I’m incredibly proud of. We all are.”

Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2020 marked their first appearance at a major tournament since France 1998, and although Euro 2024 ended in disappointment, it provided valuable experience for the squad as they prepare to cross the Atlantic for the World Cup.

“Tournament football is a different beast altogether,” Robertson noted. “It’s completely unlike anything else in the game. The more you experience it, the more you learn. Across the two Euros, there were matches we were pleased with and others we weren’t.”

He added, “Getting things right off the pitch is crucial to helping the lads perform at their best. That made a big difference during qualifying, and part of a team’s journey involves setbacks and how you respond to them. After the Euros, there was disappointment, but we came back and earned our place at the World Cup. It shows our resilience. The one thing this group hasn’t done yet is have a truly successful tournament.”

“Now it’s up to us to take that next step and prove we can compete successfully at this level. That’s our goal, and it’s what remains for us to achieve. We’ve got another opportunity this summer — hopefully, this will be the tournament where everything comes together and we can show our best football. Maybe we can even make a bit more history along the way.”

Looking ahead, Robertson also reflected on the challenge of potentially becoming the first Scotland team to advance beyond the group stage at a major tournament.

“We’re not focusing too much on being the first team to get out of the group,” he said. “Of course, that’s the objective — to win matches and reach the knockout rounds. We know we’re in a tough group, but we want to be successful and earn enough points to progress.”

“Facing Brazil, the most successful and iconic team in World Cup history, is something truly special. Then we also have matches against Morocco and Haiti — three fantastic fixtures to be part of at a World Cup. We’re just excited to play, to show the best version of ourselves, and to give everything to make it through the group.”

He concluded, “For us, it’s not just about creating history — it’s about striving for success in this tournament. If we achieve that, some history will naturally come along with it.”