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Ryan Christie has set his sights on something Scotland hasn’t managed in nearly three decades of World Cup football: getting out of the group stage. The 31-year-old Bournemouth midfielder, speaking ahead of Scotland’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, made clear that simply showing up isn’t enough this time around.
Scotland’s group is, to put it mildly, not a gentle draw. Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti round out the field. Their opener comes against Haiti, but lurking behind that fixture are two of football’s most formidable sides.
A team shaped by tournament experience
Christie has racked up 66 international caps. He was there for Euro 2020. He was there for Euro 2024. The current generation has compressed three major tournament appearances into just five years, building a foundation of experience that previous Scottish squads simply didn’t have.
Christie described the team’s mentality as “different” compared to earlier campaigns. Captain Andy Robertson anchors a squad that blends Premier League pedigree with a collective chip on its shoulder.
Club stability fueling international ambition
He recently signed a three-year contract extension with AFC Bournemouth, keeping him at the Vitality Stadium through the 2028-29 season.
The press conference on June 17, 2026, carried a tone that was notably different from Scotland’s pre-tournament media sessions in years past. Christie spoke about progression, about advancing, about doing more than making up the numbers.
What Scotland’s World Cup path looks like
The expanded 48-team format for 2026 helps Scotland’s cause. With the top two teams from each group advancing, plus the best third-place finishers, the margin for error is wider than at any previous World Cup.
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