Scotland extends coach Clarke’s contract to 2026 World Cup

GLASGOW, Scotland — Steve Clarke prolonged his contract Friday with Scotland‘s national soccer team through the 2026 World Cup, which would make him the Tartan Army’s longest-serving coach in additional than 20 years.

The Scottish Football Association introduced the deal forward of European Championship qualifying video games in opposition to Cyprus and Spain.

Clarke led Scotland to Euro 2020 for its first main match because the 1998 World Cup.

After Scotland misplaced to Ukraine within the playoffs for final 12 months’s World Cup, the group received a Nations League group to advance to the highest tier for the primary time.

Clarke, a former Chelsea defender, was employed in 2019 and is ready to have the longest spell within the Scotland job since Craig Brown left in 2002 after 9 years.

“Steve has united the nation behind a successful men’s national team,” SFA chief government Ian Maxwell stated in a press release.

Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying group additionally contains Norway and Georgia.

The high two groups within the group will advance to Euro 2024 in Germany. Scotland additionally has a assured second path via the playoffs due to its Nations League group win.

The 2026 World Cup within the United States, Canada and Mexico would be the first 48-team version. Europe has three additional locations in a 16-nation quota.