It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, hasn't it? If you follow the Scotland women's national team, you know the feeling of being right on the edge of greatness, only to have it snatched away in a soggy playoff at Easter Road or a heartbreaking late goal. Honestly, being a fan of this team requires a certain level of emotional resilience.
But as we sit here in early 2026, things feel... different. There is a sense of a clean slate that we haven't seen in years. With the departure of Pedro Martinez Losa in late 2024 and the appointment of Melissa Andreatta, the energy around the squad has shifted from "trying not to lose" to "playing to win."
The New Era Under Melissa Andreatta
Let's talk about the coaching change because it's basically the biggest story in Scottish women’s football right now. Martinez Losa's exit was inevitable after that 2-0 playoff loss to Finland. It was painful. We all felt it. He had a 2027 contract, but the SFA realized that missing out on Euro 2025 was the final straw.
Enter Melissa Andreatta.
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The former Matildas assistant and Brisbane Roar boss brought a specific kind of Australian grit to the setup. She isn't just looking for technical brilliance; she wants athletes who can press for 90 minutes. You've probably noticed the difference in the recent friendlies against China and Ukraine. Scotland won 3-2 against China in December 2025, and while the 1-1 draw with Ukraine in November was a bit "meh," the tactical flexibility was clear.
She isn't wedded to a single formation. We've seen a shift from a rigid 4-3-3 to a more fluid 3-4-1-2 that lets the wing-backs fly. It's risky. It's fast. It’s actually fun to watch again.
The Player Powerhouse: Who’s Stepping Up?
The squad depth is finally starting to look like something that can compete with the big guns in League A. We spent way too long relying on the "big three," but the emergence of younger talent is balancing the scales.
- Erin Cuthbert: Still the heartbeat. If Cuthbert isn't playing, Scotland looks like a different team. Her move to a more advanced role under Andreatta has been a masterstroke. She’s scoring more, and frankly, she looks like she’s enjoying her football again.
- Caroline Weir: The Real Madrid star is back to her best after that ACL nightmare. Her vision is still a joke. Some of the passes she threaded through the Chinese defense in the December win were world-class.
- The New Guard: Watch out for Kirsty Maclean. The Liverpool midfielder is only 20, but she plays like she’s got 100 caps. Then there’s Emma Lawton at Celtic, who has basically locked down that right-back spot with her performances in the SWPL and for the national side.
Interestingly, we've seen some big names move on. Rachel Corsie and Emma Mukandi have officially hung up the boots for the national team. It’s the end of an era, sure, but it has forced the younger defenders like Jenna Clark and Sophie Howard to take on massive leadership roles.
The Road to the 2027 World Cup
This is what it’s all about. The 2027 World Cup in Brazil is the goal. No excuses.
Scotland has been drawn into Group B4 for the European Qualifiers. We’re up against Belgium, Israel, and Luxembourg. On paper? It’s a group we should win. But we’ve said that before, haven't we?
The schedule is grueling. We kick off with a double-header against Luxembourg in March 2026.
- March 3: Luxembourg (Away)
- March 7: Luxembourg (Home)
Then comes the real test in April against Belgium. If we want to avoid another nervy playoff scenario, we have to top this group. The days of being happy with a "good performance" against top-tier opposition are over. The fans want results.
What Most People Get Wrong About the SWNT
There is a common misconception that the team is in "decline" because they missed the last couple of major tournaments. That's a bit of a lazy take.
The reality is that the level of women's football in Europe has exploded. Teams like Finland, Austria, and Portugal—teams we used to beat comfortably—have invested millions. Scotland hasn't been getting worse; everyone else just got a lot better, very quickly.
The Scotland women's national team is currently ranked 26th in the world (as of the December 2025 FIFA rankings). That's a slight drop from our peak of 19th, but it doesn't tell the whole story. The "gap" between the top 10 and the top 30 is shrinking. On our day, we can rattle anyone. Just ask the Netherlands, who we held to a 1-1 draw in the Nations League last summer.
The SWPL Connection
You can't talk about the national team without mentioning the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). The league is finally semi-professional across the board, and the quality is trickling up.
Players like Mia McAulay at Rangers are proof that the pathway works. She’s only 19 and is already getting significant minutes for the senior national side. The fact that we no longer have to export every single talent to the English WSL to keep them sharp is a huge win for the SFA.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking to follow the team or get more involved in the Scottish game this year, here is what you should be doing:
- Get to Hampden: The SFA has committed to playing the majority of home qualifiers at the national stadium. Attendance records are there to be broken. A packed Hampden makes a massive difference to the players.
- Watch the Youth Tiers: Keep an eye on the U-19s. The talent coming through the performance schools right now is arguably better than the "Golden Generation" of 2019.
- Demand Better Visibility: BBC Alba and BBC Scotland are doing great work, but the consistency of coverage for away friendlies is still spotty. Use your voice on social media to let broadcasters know the demand is there.
- Follow the Qualifiers: The March window against Luxembourg is the perfect entry point. If we take 6 points there, the momentum going into the Belgium clash will be unstoppable.
The 2026 calendar is packed. Between the World Cup qualifiers and the return of the Nations League later in the year, we are going to see exactly what this "Andreatta Era" is made of. It’s time to stop talking about potential and start talking about qualification. Brazil is calling.