It’s a bit of a weird time to be a fan of the Scotland women's football team. Honestly. If you’ve followed them for years, you know the drill: incredible individual talent, a massive heart, and that annoying knack for breaking everyone's spirit right at the finish line. We’ve had the highs of 2017 and 2019, but lately? It’s been a bit of a slog.
People talk about "transition periods" like they’re a clean, organized thing. They aren't. They're messy.
Right now, Scotland is sitting at 26th in the FIFA rankings—a far cry from that peak of 19th back in the day. After Pedro Martínez Losa left his post in December 2024, things felt up in the air. He had some decent moments, sure. He got the team promoted back to Nations League Group A. But he missed the big one: Euro 2025. When you’ve tasted a World Cup, "almost qualifying" just doesn't cut it anymore for the Tartan Army.
The New Era Under Melissa Andreatta
So, enter Melissa Andreatta. Taking the reins of the Scotland women's football team in a post-Losa world is no small task.
The SFA basically said, "Look, we need to get back to major tournaments." That’s the mandate. Andreatta comes with a serious reputation from her time with the Matildas, and you can already see the shift in how the team sets up. It’s less about just surviving and more about using the technical skills of players like Caroline Weir.
Weir is, quite frankly, a magician. Watching her play for Real Madrid is one thing, but when she wears the dark blue, everything goes through her. She recently scooped the Player of the Year and Goal of the Year awards for 2025. No surprise there. She’s the heartbeat.
But a team can't just be one player.
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Moving Past the "Old Guard"
We have to talk about the retirements. It’s the elephant in the room. Rachel Corsie, the long-time captain and a literal wall at the back, stepped away from international football in 2025. 155 caps. Think about that. That’s over a decade of putting your body on the line. Jen Beattie and Jane Ross have also moved on recently.
When you lose that much experience at once, things get shaky.
You’ve got Nicola Docherty and Sophie Howard trying to hold the line now, but the defensive chemistry isn't quite there yet. We saw that in the 6-1 thumping against Germany in early 2025. It was brutal.
However, the 3-2 win against China PR in late 2025 showed some grit. Kirsty Howat bagged a double in that game. It wasn't a perfect performance, but it was the kind of result that suggests the "never say die" attitude is still in the DNA of the Scotland women's football team.
The Players You Need to Watch in 2026
The roster is looking a lot younger these days. It’s exciting, if a bit nerve-wracking.
- Emma Watson: She’s only 19 but plays like she’s 30. The Crystal Palace midfielder is the future.
- Erin Cuthbert: Still the engine room. She’s at 82 caps now and she’s only in her mid-20s. If she stays fit, she’ll smash Gemma Fay’s record of 203 caps eventually.
- Martha Thomas: She’s got 21 goals in about 50 games. That’s a clinical return. We need her firing if we’re going to survive the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
I hear people complain about Scotland falling to 26th. "We're getting worse," they say.
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Actually, the world is just getting better.
The investment in women's football in places like Spain, Portugal, and even Morocco has skyrocketed. Scotland isn't necessarily getting worse; the gap is closing because everyone else is finally taking the sport seriously. In the 2026 Nations League/World Cup qualifying cycle, Scotland is in League B.
Is it a "demotion"? Technically. But honestly, playing against teams like Finland, Czechia, and Northern Ireland is exactly what this squad needs right now. They need to win. They need to remember how it feels to dominate a game instead of just chasing shadows against Germany or the Netherlands.
The 2026 Roadmap
The schedule for 2026 is relentless. The European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup are the only thing that matters.
- March 2026: Matchday 1 and 2. This is the springboard.
- April 2026: Matchday 3 and 4.
- June 2026: The final push.
If Scotland wins their group in League B, they get promoted. More importantly, they get a better path through the playoffs. Because let’s be real: Scotland and playoffs are like salt and vinegar. They just go together, for better or worse.
Why the Domestic Game Matters Now
You can't have a world-class Scotland women's football team without a top-tier domestic league. The SWPL is finally becoming a professional environment. Celtic, Rangers, and Glasgow City are spending real money.
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In the past, every Scottish player had to move to England to get better. Now, we’re seeing players like Mia McAulay and Kirsty MacLean staying in Scotland longer because the coaching is better. That creates a local identity. When the fans can go see their national team stars every Sunday in Glasgow or Edinburgh, the connection grows.
It’s not just about the "big names" abroad anymore.
The Reality of the "Tartan Passion"
People love to talk about the passion of the fans. It’s real. Hampden Park under the lights for a women's international is a special vibe. But passion doesn't defend set pieces.
The team has struggled with consistency. They’ll draw 1-1 with the Netherlands (a great result) and then lose a game they should win comfortably. Andreatta’s biggest challenge isn't the talent—it’s the psychology. The "glorious failure" tag needs to be burned at the stake.
Actionable Steps for the 2026 Season
If you’re following the journey this year, here is how to actually support the growth and stay informed:
- Watch the League B matches: Don't just show up for the World Cup. The matches in March 2026 are where the foundation is built. Most are streamed on the Scotland National Team YouTube channel.
- Monitor the youth transition: Keep an eye on the U-19s. Players like Laura Berry and Sophia Martin are the ones who will be starting for the senior team by the 2029 Euros.
- Support SWPL matches: If you’re in Scotland, go to a club game. The revenue from those tickets directly funds the academies that produce the next Caroline Weir.
- Check the coefficient: Understand that winning League B is vital for the 2027 seeding. Every goal matters for the long-term ranking.
The Scotland women's football team is at a crossroads. The legends have left, the new coach is settled, and the 2027 World Cup is the target. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but that’s exactly why we watch.