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Scotland captain Caroline Weir will miss the team’s upcoming World Cup play-off final against Sweden as she continues to recover from a muscle injury. Aston Villa forward Mia McAulay is also sidelined following recent calf troubles.
Squad Adjustments and Match Schedule
Weir sustained the injury during the pre-match warm-up before Scotland’s victory over the Czech Republic in Paisley a month ago, as reported by BBC Sport. The midfielder has not featured for her club, Lyon, since the incident. To cover the absences, head coach options have been bolstered by the additions of Newcastle United’s Beth Lumsden and Ipswich Town striker Eilidh Adams.
The two-legged tie begins on 1 December when Sweden visit Paisley for the opening leg, followed by the decisive return fixture in Stockholm on 5 December. Television coverage for the opening match will be provided by BBC Scotland, while the second leg in Sweden will be broadcast on BBC ALBA.
Qualification Stakes and Sweden’s Record
A victory over two legs could guarantee Scotland a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. However, depending on final rankings, the lowest-ranked European play-off final winner may still be required to navigate an intercontinental play-off tournament scheduled for February.
Sweden represent a formidable opponent, having qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the inaugural event in 1991, while securing third-place finishes in the previous two tournaments.
Confirmed Scotland Squad
Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).
Defenders: Georgia Brown (SC Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Ipswich Town), Rachel McLauchlan (Newcastle United), Amy Muir (Glasgow City).
Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Birmingham City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Christy Grimshaw (AC Milan), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Beth Lumsden (Newcastle United), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Ipswich Town), Lauren Davidson (SK Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Kathleen McGovern (Newcastle United), Martha Thomas (Newcastle United).
