UEFA Nations League: Group B1 Slovenia v Scotland Saturday, 26 September 2026 - 2pm kick off (UK time) Stadion Stožice, Ljubljana
The Sébastien Pocognoli era is set to get underway on Saturday as the new Scotland Men's Head Coach takes charge against Slovenia, in Ljubljana.
94 days after Scotland's last match, against Brazil at the FIFA World Cup, it is back to UEFA Nations League business for the Scots, with Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia our opponents in Group B1.
And it is a refreshed Scotland squad named by Pocognoli, with over half of the 27-man squad not involved in the summer's World Cup.
The extended squad is also result of the double international window which kicks off the UEFA Nations League. Following the match against Slovenia, Scotland face Switzerland in Pocognoli's first match at Barclays Hampden, and supporters can still purchase tickets here to ensure the Belgian is given a welcome to Glasgow by a packed stadium.
Scotland then travel to Skopje to take on North Macedonia next Saturday, before hosting Slovenia at Barclays Hampden on Tuesday, 6 October.
Team News
The squad have been made to sweat this week in the sweltering heat of a La Manga training camp as the players get used to the methods of Pocognoli, as well as new assistant coaches Luke Bennett and Cameron Campbell, who joined existing staff members Alan Irvine and Chris Woods.
There were two omissions from the original squad that was first announced last week, with Kenny McLean and Kieran Tierney forced to withdraw through injury. 22-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder Kristi Montgomery was called up in their place, after impressing for the Under-21s.
New Under-21 Head Coach Tony Docherty was also in Spain, prior to his squad meeting up on Friday, and he returned to Scotland with Findlay Curtis and James Wilson who are set to get minutes for the Under-21s against Azerbaijan on Wednesday night in Kilmarnock, though they could still feature for the senior side later in this camp.
Previous Meetings
Scotland and Slovenia have met on five previous occasions, with the Scots winning two and drawing three of those matches.
Following a disappointing goalless draw in Glasgow in 2004, Scotland won the away World Cup qualifier 3-0 the following year, with Darren Fletcher, James McFadden and Paul Hartley all on target.
Christophe Berra then scored in a 1-1 draw in a 2012 friendly, before we were drawn alongside Slovenia in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Substitute Chris Martin scored a memorable late winner in the 2017 match at Hampden, but Scotland would fall agonisingly short of a play-off berth a month later after a 2-2 draw in Ljubljana in Gordon Strachan's final match as national team boss.
Pre-match thoughts:
Sebastien Pocognoli: "The first game is always a special game so you have to bring the mental aspect in for the players and for the staff.
"A good result can help but the most important thing is we see things that we work on through the week. I hope is we apply that well then we will get the result which will be the perfect mix.
"I hope we can bring a good game, and a good exciting principle on the pitch. I think we need the support from the supporters because there's a lot of new players.
"We need to create a good energy but it's up to us on the pitch to create this. So then we can be hand in hand with the supporters."
Scotland's Stephen Welsh: "Getting my first cap would mean everything. It's what you work towards at a young age and especially when the lads end up qualifying for these big tournaments, you want to go and play in them.
"To have a cap would be a dream and hopefully it comes.
"It's a new squad and we want to put our stamp on what our nation can do in Europe and worldwide.
"It all starts on Saturday away to Slovenia, which we know is going to be tough, but we're going to be as prepared as we can be and ready to put on a good performance."
How to Watch
The match will be live on BBC One Scotland, and the BBC Scotland website, with coverage from 1:45pm.
Tickets
While Scotland’s full allocation for the away matches has been taken up by Scotland Supporter Club (SSC) Members, tickets remain available for both home matches against Switzerland and Slovenia, as well as November’s game against North Macedonia.
Tickets can be purchased here, with tickets available right up until kick off.
Scotland Men’s National Team Squad
Goalkeepers
Scott Bain Falkirk Angus Gunn San Jose Earthquakes Liam Kelly Rangers Jon McCracken* Bradford City
Defenders
Luis Binks Brondby Josh Doig Sassuolo Colby Donovan Celtic Luke Graham Stoke City Jack Hendry Al Ettifaq Aaron Hickey Brentford Scott McKenna Dinamo Zagreb Nathan Patterson* Torino Andy Robertson Tottenham Hotspur Stephen Welsh Swansea City
Midfielders
Ryan Christie AFC Bournemouth Lewis Ferguson Bologna Billy Gilmour* Napoli Lennon Miller Udinese John McGinn Aston Villa Josh McPake Heart of Midlothian Kristi Montgomery Blackburn Rovers
Forwards
Kieron Bowie Sassuolo Findlay Curtis** Rangers Ben Gannon-Doak AFC Bournemouth Oli McBurnie Hull City Robbie Ure Sevilla James Wilson** Heart of Midlothian
*Denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate **Denotes player featuring for Scotland Under-21s
