Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland coach after 2026 World Cup exit

Steve Clarke resigns as Scotland coach after 2026 World Cup exit

Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland head coach following the national team's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement came on Saturday, within minutes of the confirmation that Scotland would not progress to the round of 32.

The exit was sealed late Saturday afternoon after Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1. The Scottish FA confirmed the departure in a statement and an open letter from Clarke was released within an hour of the elimination. Players were informed of the decision while at their team base in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The resignation is unexpected given the timing of Clarke's contract status. On May 28, Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell expressed strong support for the 62-year-old, asking Why would we not want to have someone like him at the helm for the next four years? Clarke had signed a new four-year deal at the end of May that was intended to keep him in charge through the 2030 World Cup and the Euro 2028 tournament co-hosted by Britain and Ireland.

Scotland's campaign in North America ended in the group stage after a mixed run of results in Group C. The team secured a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Boston, which represented Scotland's first win at a men's World Cup since 1990. However, they subsequently suffered a 1-0 loss to Morocco in Boston and a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami Gardens on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Despite finishing third in their group, Scotland failed to qualify as one of the eight best third-place teams. This outcome was determined by goal difference; Scotland's minus-3 differential left them behind Senegal, which advanced with a +2 goal differential. According to ESPN, Scotland's odds of advancing had dropped to 0.07% before the Croatia and Ghana match began, following results from South Africa, Ecuador, Senegal, and Iran.

In his letter to the Tartan Army supporters, Clarke focused on the players.

"The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn’t have had any of the memories that we’ve accumulated from 2019 until now. They deserve all the praise and adulation that they receive and it was truly an honour to be called their Gaffer. Thanks for having me and good luck to my successor."

Clarke is regarded as Scotland's most successful national coach. During his seven-year tenure starting in 2019, he led the team to three major tournaments, including appearances at the European Championships in 2021 and 2024. This summer marked the country's first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Ian Maxwell praised the record-breaking contribution of the outgoing coach, noting that Clarke took the team from being a pot four team in 2019 to topping their World Cup qualifying group. Maxwell stated that Clarke had more than delivered on the remit to take Scotland back to a major tournament.

Maxwell also acknowledged the supporters who traveled to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, describing them as exceptional ambassadors for the national game. He noted the significant financial commitment made by the thousands who attended.

While Scotland returned to the global stage, the tenure was not without struggle. The win against Haiti was the only victory the team achieved across the finals. Following the loss to Brazil, observers noted a shift in Clarke's demeanor, moving from a dry sense of humor at press conferences to a more stern personality.

The Scottish FA has now begun the search for a new manager to replace Clarke.