It competes in the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Nations League, and the UEFA European Championship. Scotland, together with England, has the world's oldest national football squad, having played in the world's first international football match in 1872. They have not missed the tournament since they entered it in 1950.
Scotland is one of only eight countries that have won the World Cup. They did so in 1982 after defeating France in the final. The Scottish team was known as Scotland until 1998 when it became clear that they would be competing as an independent nation rather than as a region within Britain. Since then, they have failed to qualify for any further tournaments.
Scotland's most famous player is probably David Beckham, who came from London but grew up in Scotland. He was a superstar during the 1990s, playing for both Milan and Real Madrid.
Now he is back in England with Los Angeles Galaxy, but he does travel abroad occasionally to play games for his new club.
The biggest rivalry in Scottish football is between Glasgow's two teams - Celtic and Rangers. Both are top-flight clubs and have very passionate fans. Games between these two teams can be very intense - this is reflected by the fact that there have been several incidents of violence at soccer matches in Scotland over the years.
It competes in the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, the two largest professional events. As a component country of the United Kingdom, Scotland is not a member of the International Olympic Committee, and so the national team does not compete in the Olympic Games. However, it may take part in future games as an independent nation.
The Scottish team first entered a world tournament when it took part in the 1930 World Cup in Argentina. It has since participated in every World Cup but one, and is considered one of the powerhouses of international football. In addition to its participation in each tournament, Scotland has reached the final stage on three occasions - in 1990, 2006, and 2014 - winning one medal (silver). Its record against other competing nations is excellent; only Brazil has beaten it more often than Scotland's five matches to date.
Its first game was on 16 June 1930 against Argentina at River Plate Stadium, New York. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time with both goals coming from British players. Argentina won the first leg of their subsequent series 2-0 and went on to win the group.
Scotland's first World Cup match was also its first official international match. It was played on 4 July 1950 in Paris against France, who had been awarded the trophy due to World War II restrictions on soccer competition in Europe. France won the match 3-0.
Scotland had the honor of beginning the tournament against the defending champions, Brazil, who had become Scotland's recurrent World Cup foe. It was possibly the most important game in Scottish football history. The stage had been set, and the entire world was watching.
Since 1955, when Hibernian joined the first European Cup, Scottish football teams have competed in European association football championships. Scottish clubs have won four UEFA championships between them, with Celtic being the first British Isles team to win the European Cup in 1966-67.
Since 1955, when Hibernian joined the first European Cup, Scottish football teams have competed in European association football championships. Scottish clubs have won four UEFA championships between them, with Celtic being the first British Isles team to win the European Cup in 1966-67. Rangers followed this up in 1972-73, and then Dundee United became the third club from Scotland to win the trophy when they beat Hamburg 5-3 on aggregate in the final.
Celtic and Rangers continue to compete in the UEFA Champions League, with both clubs playing in the Scottish Premiership now. Dundee United were relegated to the Scottish Division 1 after just one season in the Premier League. Heart of Midlothian, who finished fourth in the SPL, was entered into a play-off round against the third-placed team from the Netherlands' Eredivisie league. However, despite winning this game 3-1 on aggregate, they were not reinstated into the top flight due to concerns over financial irregularities at the club. In addition to these five clubs, several other Scottish teams have played in European competitions over the years including Albion Rovers, Alloa Athletic, Ayr United, Brechin City, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock, Livingston, St Johnstone, St Mirren, and Ross County.
FIFA eight Scotland initially competed in qualification in 1950, and has subsequently appeared in eight FIFA World Cups, including an amazing run of five consecutive tournaments between 1974 and 1990. Scotland last missed the finals tournament in 1992.
Scotland has never been defeated in its group stage match at a World Cup finals tournament. It is also one of only three nations to have reached each of the last four World Cup finals (the others being Brazil and Germany).
Scotland played its first World Cup match on 16 June 1950 against France. The Scots lost 1-5 at home but came back two weeks later to win 1-4 away from home. That was enough to see off Switzerland and qualify for their next World Cup finals tournament in 1954. Since then, Scotland has always qualified for the finals tournament, except in 1958 when it failed to obtain a visa for Egypt's controversial Zaf Zaf player Ezz El Arabi.
The record books show that Scotland has achieved more than most people would expect given its small population, expensive economy and lack of world-class players. However, its failure to advance beyond the group stage at two previous World Cups - in 1930 and 1938 - means that it lacks the trophy cabinet to prove it is one of football's great powers.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
