7M - Billy Gilmour Ruled Out Of 2026 World Cup

Scotland suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 World Cup as midfielder Billy Gilmour has been officially ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. The 24-year-old Napoli playmaker sustained the injury during the first half of Scotland's final warm-up friendly against Curacao. Although Scotland secured a 4-1 victory at Hampden Park, the result was overshadowed by Gilmour's forced substitution.

Medical evaluations later confirmed that the extent of the knee damage would prevent him from competing in the tournament. The Scottish Football Association announced that Gilmour will return to Napoli to begin his rehabilitation. Head coach Steve Clarke expressed deep disappointment, labeling the timing of the injury as cruel given Gilmour's vital role throughout their successful qualification campaign.

This injury presents a significant challenge for Scotland as they prepare for their first World Cup appearance since 1998. The team is scheduled to open their Group C campaign against Haiti, followed by fixtures against Morocco and Brazil, but must now navigate the group stage without one of their key midfield figures.