Scotland lose Billy Gilmour before the 2026 World Cup

Scotland received one of the toughest blows of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Billy Gilmour has officially been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury, a major setback for a team that relied heavily on the Napoli midfielder to provide balance and control in midfield.

The injury occurred during the friendly match against Curaçao, the final warm-up game for Steve Clarke’s side before travelling to the tournament. Although Scotland secured a 4-1 victory, the result quickly became secondary following the Scottish midfielder’s departure from the match.

The moment that raised alarm bells

Gilmour went down during the first half and left the pitch visibly distressed. The initial signs caused immediate concern among the coaching staff, especially as the midfielder attempted to continue playing before eventually being substituted.

Hours later, medical examinations confirmed the worst-case scenario: the knee damage will prevent him from playing at the 2026 World Cup. The Scottish Football Association confirmed that the player will return to Napoli to begin his rehabilitation process.

Steve Clarke laments the loss of a key player

The news triggered an immediate reaction within the Scottish camp. Head coach Steve Clarke described the situation as “cruel” given the timing, highlighting the important role Gilmour played throughout the qualification campaign.

The 24-year-old midfielder had established himself as one of the most influential players in Scotland’s system thanks to his ability to dictate play and connect the team through the center of the pitch. His absence now forces Clarke to rethink his options ahead of Scotland’s World Cup debut.

A major setback before the World Cup begins

The situation feels especially painful because Scotland will play in their first World Cup since 1998, arriving at the tournament with renewed expectations following a strong qualifying campaign.

The European side will begin its Group C campaign against Haiti before facing Morocco and Brazil, now carrying the challenge of competing without one of its most important players. Gilmour’s injury therefore becomes one of the most significant absences in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.