Angus Gunn settles Scotland goalkeeper debate before World Cup opener

Scotland hasn’t played a World Cup match since 1998. That’s 27 years of waiting, hoping, and watching other nations have all the fun. Now, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup finally on the horizon, the biggest question facing Steve Clarke’s squad wasn’t about tactics or formation. It was about who stands between the posts.

The answer, it turns out, is Angus Gunn.

The No. 1 jersey tells the story

Gunn, the 27-year-old Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, has been assigned Scotland’s No. 1 shirt for the tournament. Craig Gordon, the 43-year-old veteran who has been a fixture of Scottish football for the better part of two decades, will wear No. 21.

Gunn reinforced his claim during Scotland’s warm-up fixtures at Hampden Park, their national stadium. He started in a 4-0 victory over Bolivia and played the full 90 minutes.

A winding path to the No. 1 shirt

Gunn’s journey to becoming Scotland’s first-choice World Cup goalkeeper has been anything but straightforward. He initially represented England at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Scotland in 2023. At club level, Gunn’s playing time has been limited in recent seasons, which naturally raised questions about whether a goalkeeper without regular match fitness should be trusted with such a significant occasion. Clarke, though, has clearly seen enough in training and international duty to back his man.

Gordon, meanwhile, returned to the national team setup after a lengthy injury absence. Being named the oldest player at the entire World Cup is a distinction that speaks to both his stubbornness and his quality.

What this means for Scotland’s World Cup campaign

Scotland’s opener comes against Haiti in Boston. Clarke’s choice of Gunn signals a forward-looking approach. Rather than leaning on Gordon’s vast experience, the manager is betting that Gunn’s relative youth and hunger will serve Scotland better, despite Gunn’s limited recent club minutes at Nottingham Forest.

For Gordon, the No. 21 shirt means he’s one injury or one bad performance away from stepping in. At 43, he’s the ultimate insurance policy.

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