World Cup 2026: Scotland's John McGinn would 'happily lose friendlies for next 10 years' to qualify for major finals
Scotland face Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday following a friendly defeat to Japan in their first World Cup warm-up game; Curacao visit Glasgow on May 30 before the team depart for the USA; opening group game is on June 14 against Haiti
Monday 30 March 2026 18:57, UK
John McGinn would "happily lose friendlies for the next 10 years" if it meant Scotland qualifying for every major tournament.
The national side were booed following a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday in their first World Cup warm-up match.
Head coach Steve Clarke was "disappointed" by the reaction as they returned to action for the first time since qualification was sealed against Denmark back in November, on a night of euphoric celebration.
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Scotland have won just one of their last 10 friendly games, but ahead of facing Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, McMcGinn was keen to focus on the positives.
"I'd happily lose friendlies for the next 10 years to make each major tournament, that's just the reality of it," he said.
"There probably needs to be a bit of balance. I get both sides but I'm sure the manager and those involved will get criticised for not giving people a chance.
"We've got to be aware of the standard of teams that we're playing.
"We can go gung-ho, we can fling bodies forward and get embarrassed. That would be a proper booing if that was the case.
"The onus is on us to get bums off seats and try and take the game to teams, but we've also got to be cautious.
"I think over the years, whether some people enjoy watching it or not, it's what's got us to where we are now and what's made us successful."
Tuesday night's game will be the first time Scotland have faced Ivory Coast and McGinn, who has been capped 84 times for his country, believes it will be another good test.
"It's a completely different challenge for us again," the 31-year-old added.
"We've got the luxury of not playing a play-off, so we get the chance to play against African opponents for the first time in a long time.
"The main aim for us is obviously to try and prepare for the Morocco game, and this team in Ivory Coast gives us the best chance to try and prepare for that.
"They're a different style of team to Japan.
"It's going to be a big test, but what it is is an opportunity for the manager to see new players, give players a chance to stake a claim for the summer game.
"The priority is to get minutes into the boys' legs, give people a chance to show what they can do leading into the summer, which is the priority for these two games."
Scotland squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers).
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese).
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich).
