Scotland coach Steve Clarke had just finished his playing career with Chelsea when his country qualified for the 1998 World Cup, marking their last finals appearance before the former defender led them to the tournament with victory over Denmark last November.
Clarke has a special reason to feel the feel-good factor ahead of Scotland’s home semi-final at Hampden Park against Curacao on Saturday, having signed a new contract on Thursday to stay in charge until 2030.
“It would be nice for the fans to say goodbye,” Clarke told the Scottish Football Association. “We want to win. The most important thing is that there are no injuries and minutes for a lot of players who maybe need to get minutes in their legs.
“There will probably be some deliberations and changes throughout the game, but I will try to get the most out of the squad.”
Curacao finished third in the finals, finishing ahead of Jamaica to top their qualifying group, and will have the oldest coach in World Cup history in the highly experienced Dick Advocaat.
Miami FC’s Jurgen Locadia played for Advocaat at the striker’s first club, PSV Eindhoven, before becoming Brighton & Hove Albion’s record signing at the time and playing for clubs such as Hoffenheim and Bochum.
“It’s very special,” the 32-year-old, who has scored three goals in the Premier League, told VoetbalPrimeur, adding that the prospect of a World Cup finals “is really starting to take hold.”
“(Advocaat) gets angry with me a lot. We have a good bond and he knows what he gets from me. He can now help me and support me and the younger players.”
In its first finals, Curacao’s tough group includes four-time world champion Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Not only
𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗲 complete. 🇨🇼🎬🎶See you in @fifaworldcup!#Bluewave #Curaçao pic.twitter.com/ozNEHFLAE5
— Curacao National Football Team (@TheBlueWaveFFK) May 18, 2026
World Cup 2026 Friendly: Scotland vs. Curacao news
Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway will miss the World Cup with an ankle problem, but Southampton striker Ross Stewart could make his first appearance for Scotland since 2022, having suffered a series of serious injuries between his last international appearance and January of this year.
Clarke is hopeful that 43-year-old Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon can remain fit for Scotland’s campaign, which begins with matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, after returning this month from a long-term shoulder injury.
Along with Locadia, the Curacao squad includes several players who may be familiar to fans in Scotland and England.
Captain Leandro Bacuna’s previous clubs include Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff City and Watford. Sonte Hansen is Boro’s winger, Tahith Chong is Sheffield United’s midfielder and Arjani Martha is Rotherham United’s defender.
Full-back Joshua Burnett played for Livingston, midfielder Jervan Castaner had a loan spell with Hearts from former club Coventry City and winger Kenji Gore was a youth player at Swansea City.
