Glorious failure has gone hand-in-hand with Scotland and major tournaments through the years. As the national team prepare to kick off Euro 2024 against host nation Germany in Munich, their record in big competitions is worth closer analysis.
The Scots have never progressed past the first stage of any World Cup or European Championship, so Steve Clarke’s squad have an opportunity to make history this month. They play Germany, Switzerland and Hungary for the chance to reach the knockout phase. Previous tournaments underline the difficulties for a Scotland side when mingling with the best nations.
They were not FIFA members initially and therefore were not entitled to take part in the World Cup until 1950. They qualified for that competition as runners-up of the British Home Championships, but the Scottish FA declined their place on principle because the team were not champions.
Scotland reached the 1954 and 1958 World Cups but did not play on the biggest stage again until 1974. That began a famous run of five successive World Cup qualifications as they took part in 1978, 1982, 1986 and 1990. They missed out in 1994 but were back among the elite in France in 1998.
Watch on Shots! All your video coverage from Euro 2024 including football, fans and fun The 1990s represented a golden era for the Tartan Army to attend major competitions as their country reached two European Championships - 1992 and 1996. They would not qualify again until Euro 2020, thus ending a 23-year wait to play in a tournament finals. Scotland’s record at World Cups and Euros shows victories are rare and goals can be hard to come by. In total, they have played 32 matches in tournaments. Those have produced only six wins, with nine draws and 17 losses. Scotland have scored 30 goals altogether in major finals but conceded 51.
Here are details of how Scottish teams have fared on the biggest stage throughout history:
They were not FIFA members initially and therefore were not entitled to take part in the World Cup until 1950. They qualified for that competition as runners-up of the British Home Championships, but the Scottish FA declined their place on principle because the team were not champions.
![After qualifying for back-to-back Euros, the Scots started with a battling 0-0 draw against Netherlands in Birmingham. They lost 2-0 to England in London before beating Switzerland back at Villa Park thanks to Ally McCoist's goal. Once again, they were out.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/13/8/26/850425-1.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
9. Euro 1996 (England):
After qualifying for back-to-back Euros, the Scots started with a battling 0-0 draw against Netherlands in Birmingham. They lost 2-0 to England in London before beating Switzerland back at Villa Park thanks to Ally McCoist's goal. Once again, they were out. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
![The most high-profile game in Scotland's football history saw them take on Brazil in Paris in the opening game. Despite John Collins' penalty, they lost 2-1. Craig Burley scored to earn a 1-1 draw with Norway in Bordeaux, but a 3-0 reverse against Morocco in Saint-Etienne put paid to hopes of progress.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/13/8/45/786017-1.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
10. World Cup 1998 (France):
The most high-profile game in Scotland's football history saw them take on Brazil in Paris in the opening game. Despite John Collins' penalty, they lost 2-1. Craig Burley scored to earn a 1-1 draw with Norway in Bordeaux, but a 3-0 reverse against Morocco in Saint-Etienne put paid to hopes of progress. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602
![Euro 2020 was delayed a year due to the Covid pandemic, so Scotland's wait to take part in a major tournament stretched to 23 years after France 98. With crowd numbers restricted, they lost their opening game 2-0 in Glasgow against Czech Republic but rallied in a 0-0 draw against England in London. Their third group game was back at Hampden Park and, despite Callum McGregor scoring, a 3-1 defeat saw them knocked out.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/13/9/18/20134770.jpg.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
11. Euro 2020 (Europe-wide):
Euro 2020 was delayed a year due to the Covid pandemic, so Scotland's wait to take part in a major tournament stretched to 23 years after France 98. With crowd numbers restricted, they lost their opening game 2-0 in Glasgow against Czech Republic but rallied in a 0-0 draw against England in London. Their third group game was back at Hampden Park and, despite Callum McGregor scoring, a 3-1 defeat saw them knocked out. | SNS Group