Scotland manager Steve Clarke revealed his surprise and “disappointment” after hearing some boos from the Tartan Army following the 1-0 defeat by Japan at Hampden, in what was their first friendly match since qualifying for this summer’s tournament.
A clever late finish from Japan’s Junya Ito handed Scotland a pre-World Cup reality check. But losing to a Japan side ranked 19th in the world was no disgrace even if Scotland lacked attacking inspiration and the visitors were deserved winners on the night.
Asked if he was surprised by the reaction of the fans, Clarke said: "Yes and it disappointed me to be honest. It's just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me."
The Tartan Army will next travel to Liverpool and Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium for an unusual ‘home’ friendly against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday. It will be their last friendly before Clarke names his World Cup squad at the end of the club season.
Follow all the latest updates from Hampden below
Scotland v Japan | Latest score updates
- Japan strike late to beat Scotland in pre-World Cup friendly at Hampden
- 83' GOAL! Japan find late winner with clever finish from Junya Ito [SCO 0-1 JPN]
- Scotland can have 'no complaints' as Japan secure deserved win, says McFadden
- Scotland reaction to Hampden defeat: 'A disappointing result - we'll learn from it'
- Steve Clarke's side will bid to bounce back against Ivory Coast in Liverpool on Tuesday
- Clarke reaction: 'A lot to take from performance but one or two things to improve'
Steve Clarke ‘disappointed’ as some Scotland fans boo team after Japan defeat
12:00 , Ronnie EsplinJapan got the breakthrough in the 84th minute through substitute Junya Ito and the home fans revealed their frustration at the end.
Asked if he was surprised by the reaction of the fans, Clarke said:
"Yes and it disappointed me to be honest. It's just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me."
Steve Clarke ‘disappointed’ as some Scotland fans boo team after Japan defeat
Steve Clarke expects 'six or seven changes' for Ivory Coast on Tuesday
10:00 , Jamie Braidwood“We’ll recover now and get the next team ready to go,” Clarke told BBC Scotland.
“I anticipate six or seven changes and there’s some personnel I want to see on the pitch. So it’ll be a different team on Tuesday from the one that played today.”
Che Adams, John Souttar and Grant Hanley didn’t feature, so they may be involved.
Steve Clarke praises Tommy Conway's display on Scotland debut
08:00 , Jamie BraidwoodSpeaking to BBC Scotland, Clarke said: “Young Tommy did really well coming off the left side. He did really well for us and didn’t do himself any harm tonight. I liked my midfield, my midfield was strong.
“We played a lot of good stuff and I think we can be a bit more progressive to get to the top end of the pitch, but against top opposition sometimes that's difficult.”
Looking ahead: Only three games left before the World Cup!
06:00 , Chris WilsonThe World Cup begins on June 11 but before that, Scotland have one scheduled warm-up game: against Curacao on 30 May at Hampden Park.
There will also likely be a warm-up game on US soil closer to the opening game, though the opponents and final details are yet to be confirmed.
The final squad lists reportedly need to be submitted on 30 May for all teams in the tournament.
Scotland’s fixtures will be as follows:
13 June: Scotland vs Haiti – 9pm ET/2am BST on 14 June
19 June: Scotland vs Morocco – 6pm ET/11pm BST
24 June: Scotland vs Brazil – 6pm ET/11pm BST
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Scotland’s potential route to 2026 World Cup final after draw revealed
02:00 , Chris Wilson
Scotland’s potential route to 2026 World Cup final after draw revealed
Crichton says performance a 'little bit flat'
00:00 , Chris Wilson“Little bit flat and and probably disappointed with the performance and result because I thought there was more there for if I'm being honest,” says Leanne Crichton on BBC Scotland.
“I felt we could have really gone and got after the game. But it's trial and error in these types of games, that's why you take them on at this stage in the season. You want to know where you are heading into the tournament.
“If anything they've maybe given Japan too much respect coming into the game. I thought they flattered to deceive at points, but you could see the quality when Japan decided they wanted to go at us.
“You can't have Scotland 4, Denmark 2 every night, but it gives us a really good gauge of where we are and where we think we can get to,” she added.
Next up: Scotland head to Liverpool to face Ivory Coast
23:00 , Chris WilsonScotland’s next friendly comes against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, 31 March. Rather confusingly, that game will take place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, England.
Angus Gunn will feel he 'could do better' on Japan's late winner
22:00 , Jamie Braidwood“He's trying to anticipate it's going to be slid across him, and he's almost down before the ball reaches him,” the Dundee boss Neil McCann told the BBC. “I think in hindsight when he looks at it, I think he should save it.
“But they're good, they're incisive. This is a good side we’re playing tonight. They're beating Brazil. They're serial qualifiers for World Cups. This is a good test.
“I think the thing is that we want to see us being probably a wee bit more aggressive in our forward play, because generally we can be quite structured.
“That's a top side we played, a lot of positives, but I think we want to see he's been a wee bit braver in possession.”
Steve Clarke ‘disappointed’ as some Scotland fans boo team after Japan defeat
21:31 , Ronnie EsplinSteve Clarke revealed his surprise and disappointment after hearing some boos from the Tartan Army following Scotland's 1-0 defeat by Japan at Hampden.
The Scots were cheered off the pitch in November after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark qualified them for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.
However, their return to the national stadium for the first of their warm-up games for North America was more sedate.
Steve Clarke ‘disappointed’ as some Scotland fans boo team after Japan defeat
WATCH: Ito goal sinks Scotland
21:00 , Chris WilsonHere’s the goal that decided it then, as Ito snuck a finish past Gunn...
Junya Ito opens up the scoring for Japan. #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/09NndR4prk
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) March 28, 2026
'A lot to take from performance but one or two things to improve' - Steve Clarke
20:00 , Jamie BraidwoodScotland boss Steve Clarke, offering his assessment of the match to BBC Scotland.
“There’s a lot to take from the performance. Obviously there's one or two things we can do better.
"To lose it on the goal that we lost is disappointing. The game at that stage looked like it was going to peter out to a 0-0 draw.
"We made a mistake, probably tried to go forward too early, got caught and they managed to score off it.
"I thought we defended well in the game against a very good side. They pop the ball around really well and we knew they would cause us problems.
“I thought it would be a low-scoring game and it was.”
McKenna: 'We expect to win these games at home'
19:32 , Chris Wilson“We had ideas that we worked on through the week that maybe we didn't execute quite as well on the ball,” says Scotland defender Scott McKenna.
“Japan have a lot of pace in the team to break early. We had a couple of chances that we maybe could have taken but didn't. Ultimately we gave away too many chances and they scored one towards the end.
"We're at home and we've qualified for a World Cup. This team have come that far that we expect to win these games at home.
“Japan have gone deep into competitions and we want to do the same going forward,” he added.
McFadden: 'I don't think Scotland can have any complaints'
19:25 , Chris Wilson“Can’t argue Japan didn’t deserve to win the game. They showed some moments of real quality, a lot of control and they for me deserved to win,” said James McFadden on BBC.
“Scotland, not a brilliant performance, not a terrible performance, but not enough to win the game. You look at the games leading up to the World Cup, and I think performances have to be better.
“It wasn't a poor performance, but you want to see a little bit more. These friendlies can be difficult, but you're looking for a better performance, try and build a bit of momentum coming into the World Cup.
“There's no doubt for me that Japan were the better side and deserved to win the game. I don't think Scotland can have any complaints with that,” added the former Scotland forward.
Hendry: 'We've got a lot more in the tank'
19:20 , Chris WilsonScotland defender Jack Hendry tells BBC Scotland that the game "was a good test for us”.
“Japan are a good side. "Going into the World Cup it's good to play against these opponents. We knew it was going to be a tough test and it's a poor result.
"They move the ball really well, these are the types of opponents we need to play going into the World Cup. We will learn lots from it.
"We've got a lot more in the tank. Those small margins matter in a game like that, but I feel like we've got a lot more to show for ourselves.
"We've got a lot more to work on and improve but we'll do well,” he added.
McLean: 'We’ll learn from it'
19:14 , Chris WilsonHere’s what Kenny McLean had to say on BBC Scotland:
“A disappointing result, we’d have liked to be better. But we were against a very good team tonight, and we’ll keep improving.
“There was some decent stuff, the shape was decent, second half was a little better.
They’re a very good team, we’ll learn from it, we’ll watch it back and we’ll keep improving.
“There’s expectation now and we want to reach new levels, and we’ll be there for it no doubt,” he added as he finished.
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-1 Japan
19:10 , Chris WilsonHere’s what Japan ‘keeper Zion Suzuki has to say at full-time:
“It was a hard game but we won the game on the road, so it’s great.
“They have great supporters, it was a very hard game, but we stayed focused.
“The most important things is we have to stick together. There are many things we have to improve, so we just try and carry momentum.
“I know his strengths and today he played very well, but we got a clean sheet and we work to continue that,” he added.
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-1 Japan
19:02 , Chris WilsonNot a classic by any means at Hampden tonight, but there were some encouraging signs for the hosts, who troubled Japan on several occasions and were probably unlucky not to come away with a result.
Scotland didn’t do enough in the end but there were flashes of quality on show, even if some players do need to do a bit more to book their places on the plane.
McFadden: 'This hasn't been poor'
19:02 , Chris Wilson“I don't think it was a poor performance, it's just not been a brilliant, exciting performance,” said James McFadden late on BBC.
“Japan will be looking at it thinking they were OK.
“There's no doubt it has to be much better when you go into the tournament, but it's not been a terrible performance.
“This hasn't been poor, it just hasn't been good enough to win the game,” added the former Scotland striker.
“There's no doubt for me that Japan were the better side and deserved to win the game. I don't think Scotland can have any complaints with that.”
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:59 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:56 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the game to an end and it’s a defeat for Scotland at Hampden!
Not a poor performance by any means but it was lacking in tempo and invention, and Japan showed that crucial bit of quality when it mattered to take the win.
Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:55 , Chris Wilson90 +2 mins
A late free-kick near halfway for Scotland as they look for a final chance, but the opportunity breaks down on the left wing and Japan break.
Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:53 , Chris Wilson90 mins
Great play by Kamada to start a Japan counter but it ends with Ralston blocking Shiogai’s effort.
Into the first of three minutes of added time at Hampden.
Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:51 , Chris Wilson88 mins
Can the hosts find a late equaliser? The game has become quite open in midfield but Japan have just started to wrestle back a bit of control.
Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:48 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Scotland trying to get back into it late on but Christie’s strike from distance is well wide.
GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Japan
18:47 , Chris Wilson84 mins
GOAL! Ito has the opener!
Mitoma threads the ball through and it’s squared to Shiogai, who ends up laying it off to Ito.
The Japan player takes a touch and hits a low effort that Gunn can’t keep out despite his best efforts.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:45 , Chris Wilson83 mins
CLOSE! Very from the corner as Taniguchi heads narrowly wide!
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:44 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Gilmour does well to win another free-kick within crossing range for the hosts.
The set-piece isn’t a bad one but it ends with McKenna hitting a tame effort that rolls through to Suzuki.
Scotland then bring on Anthony Ralston and Curtis for Conway and Patterson.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:41 , Chris Wilson79 mins
One of the best openings of the half for the hosts as Hirst beats the offside trap. He darts into the box to work the shooting chance but blasts a low effort against the side-netting!
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:39 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Japan win a free-kick now but although there’s a header at the back post, it goes harmlessly wide.
Moments later, Doan does well to keep it alive in the box but ends up conceding a goal kick.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:37 , Chris Wilson74 mins
Hirst did well to win a free-kick near the edge of the box but Scotland were unable to do anything with it. There’s been a bit of a lull in attacking activity since the subs were made.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:33 , Chris Wilson71 mins
Scotland make changes as McTominay and Robertson make way for Kieran Tierney and Billy Gilmour.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:32 , Chris Wilson69 mins
CHANCE! Great play from Mitoma, who latches onto a squared ball and burst past the defenders into the box. He tries to poke a finish past Gunn but McLean is there to clear it.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:30 , Chris Wilson67 mins
SAVE! A great stop from Gunn but Ito should score. He makes the run off McKenna and goes clean through before cutting in and out and then hitting a low effort that Gunn blocks.
The hosts might have been in trouble if he’d hit that earlier.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:27 , Chris Wilson65 mins
A great effort from Mitoma, who picks up the corner on the edge of the box before curling a shot that flies narrowly wide of the far post.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:25 , Chris Wilson62 mins
A nice mazy run from Mitoma ends with the Brighton man’s pass to Maeda going out of play.
Both sides do make changes, with Scotland bringing on Ryan Christie and George Hirst for Dykes and McGinn.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:23 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Changes incoming from both sides. Japan are still enjoying a period of extended possession.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:21 , Chris Wilson58 mins
The visitors are just keeping the ball a bit as they try to regain their foothold in the game.
There have been a few decent probing runs forward but the Scottish defenders have read them well every time so far.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:17 , Chris Wilson55 mins
SAVE! Another decent save from Suzuki as Robertson gets free down the left and rifles a shot across goal that the ‘keeper tips away.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:16 , Chris Wilson53 mins
A slick counter from Japan this time but McKenna darts in to prevent the shot from close range.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:14 , Chris Wilson51 mins
A lovely fluid counter from Scotland involving Patterson, McGinn and Conway, before McTominay is clipped near the box, around 30 yards out.
The Napoli midfielder opts to shoot but Suzuki tips it over easily enough.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:12 , Chris Wilson48 mins
At the other end, another comfortable save from Gunn after a tame effort from Goto.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:10 , Chris Wilson47 mins
A decent opening for Scotland early on as the pass is slid through to McGinn, who stands up a great cross that is headed away at the back post.
Moments later, Dykes heads over from a tame Robertson cross.
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:07 , Chris WilsonBack underway in Glasgow! You’d expect more to come from Scotland considering some players are playing for a place on the plane.
Subs for Japan to begin with as Sano, Ito and Watanabe come off for Karou Mitoma, Suzuki and Shogo Taniguchi.
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-0 Japan
18:03 , Chris WilsonAs mentioned, an underwhelming first half from Scotland at Hampden.
The hosts should probably have been in the lead from early on but a superb save from Suzuki denied them, and while Tanaka later hit the bar, it’s not been a great half from either side.
Hopefully better to come in the second half!
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:59 , Chris Wilson“It was an OK start from Scotland. As the game goes on, Japan are in control. Just hope to see a bit more attacking intent after the break,” says former Scotland striker James McFadden on BBC.
An underwhelming first half from Scotland at Hampden.
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:55 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:50 , Chris WilsonThe free-kick ends with an offside flag and the referee brings the first half to an end.
Level at the break after a first half that lacked tempo and intensity, though both sides did hit the woodwork at Hampden!
Plenty for some Scotland players to prove though as they fight for spots on the plane to the US in June.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:48 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Just one minute of added time here as Scotland scramble clear from inside their own box.
Maybe time for a final chance for Japan as they win a free-kick midway into the Scotland half...
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:47 , Chris Wilson44 mins
Better from Scotland now as Suzuki is forced off his line to punch away Robertson’s ball in before McTominay ends up glancing a tame header at the ‘keeper from the follow-up cross.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:44 , Chris Wilson42 mins
And another opening for Japan! Scotland are dispossessed near halfway and Japan counter quickly, though Suzuki ends up firing straight at Gunn from inside the area.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:43 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Japan have been in control without putting Scotland under any pressure before that Tanaka chance, but now Sano skies over on the half-volley at the back post after misjudging the cross from the right.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:40 , Chris Wilson37 mins
OFF THE BAR! A real chance for Japan now as Conway nips in to clear and it falls to Tanaka, who opens his body up to try and divert the first time effort past Gunn, but ends up clipping the top of the bar!
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:37 , Chris Wilson34 mins
Oh, was that the opening for Japan?! It breaks kindly for Fujita and he looks to thread the final pass wide to Suzuki but it’s intercepted at the last by Robertson.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:35 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Almost a chance for Japan as a corner causes some pinball in the box, but Scotland have enough bodies in there to make the block.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:32 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Finally a bit of an opening for Japan but it ends with a shot straight at Angus Gunn.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:30 , Chris Wilson27 mins
It’s really not clicked for either side in attack, apart from that early chance from McTominay. There hasn’t even been half a chance since that save from Suzuki.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:27 , Chris Wilson24 mins
Japan are really in control of possession now but they’re creating very little. They briefly threaten to get in behind as Patterson misjudges his tackle, but the ball bounces off the back foot of Maeda.
At the other end, Lyndon Dykes is looking a little isolated for the hosts.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:24 , Chris Wilson21 mins
A real friendly feel to this game at the moment, it must be said. Not a lot of tempo as both sides have just settled and aren’t looking to commit too many men forward.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:20 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Japan are also beginning to settle in possession now, though it’s not clicking in attack as Seko’s cross flies over all his teammates.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:18 , Chris Wilson14 mins
Plenty of decent combinations from the hosts in defence and midfield, though Japan are happy to sit at the moment as they try to limit Scotland’s advances.
Patterson’s loose pass is collected in midfield but the pass towards Ito had to much on it.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:14 , Chris Wilson11 mins
A bit of a tense moment for Suzuki as he just about manages to clear a hospital pass.
Scotland collect the clearance but McLean’s ball into Dykes just had a bit too much on it.
Encouraging signs from the hosts though!
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:11 , Chris Wilson8 mins
CLOSE! What a chance!
It all comes from McGinn, who holds the ball up brilliantly when isolated on the right before clipping in a lovely ball.
McTominay is arriving in the area and fires it towards goal form just a few yards out, but Suzuki sticks out a hand and makes a brilliant save, with the ball rebounding off the post!
It was close to him but what a reaction stop that is!
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:10 , Chris Wilson7 mins
Fairly stop-start at the moment after a few fouls from both sides in midfield. Neither team has managed to get a hold in possession but both look capable with the ball at their feet.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:08 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Scotland in their away kit today at Hampden, presumably as part of Adidas’ desire to showcase their new releases. Japan are also in their away shirt.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:07 , Chris Wilson5 mins
The first brief opening falls to Japan, but Maeda scuffs his effort and it bobbles harmlessly to Gunn.
Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:05 , Chris Wilson3 mins
An early clash of heads involving John McGinn but he’s fine to carry on.
Both sides have seen a bit of possession early on in Glasgow.
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-0 Japan
17:02 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at Hampden Park! Can Scotland make an impression this evening ahead of the World Cup?
Scotland v Japan live
16:55 , Chris WilsonBoth sides have emerged from the tunnel at Hampden, so we’ll be underway soon!
It will be shown live on BBC One Scotland, as well as on BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.
Clarke confirms Scotland 4-4-2
16:54 , Chris Wilson‘The raised eyebrows [over the team] were more over the two games than the one game. I need to look at certain players in certain positions to see what they can help us do in the summer,” says Steve Clarke ahead of kick-off.
"There's a number of players within the squad that think they're borderline [for going to the World Cup]. You're looking for those players to step up and perform, Tommy [Conway] is one of those.
"There's no surprises in the formation - you can see it's 4-4-2.
"Japan play a system that's slightly different but a lot of teams morph into that system during games. They cause you problems in the pockets of midfield.
"I'm hoping the midfield I've picked will help us tackle that,” he added.
Scotland v Japan live
16:50 , Chris Wilson
McLean: 'It’s about us players doing as much as we can'
16:45 , Chris Wilson"It’s good to be back at Hampden and it’s always one we look forward to because it’s a long break since the last camp,” says Kenny McLean to BBC Scotland.
"I’m sure the fans will be glad to be back as well. There’s always an excitement about the place when we meet up and it’s been good to see the lads again.
"It’s been a good week’s training and we’ve been preparing very well for this game. We look forward to tonight.
"It’s preparation for the summer so obviously the manager might look at one or two things across the next couple of games," he said.
"So it’s about us players doing as much as we can to make sure we are right for the summer. We’ll do as much as we can, like we have done all week.
"There’s a lot of excitement and optimism around the country and it’s the same with us players as well.
"The last time we saw the fans they were going mental in this place. It might not be as loud tonight but hopefully we can give them something to cheer about,” he added.
Head-to-head
16:40 , Chris WilsonScotland and Japan have met three times previously, with two of them ending goalless in 1995 and 2006 – the other was a 2-0 win for Japan in October 2009.
It’s the most times Scotland have faced an opponent without scoring in their history; the other countries they’ve faced without scoring are Costa Rica (2), Morocco (1) and Mexico (1).
Match stats
16:35 , Chris WilsonScott McTominay has 14 goals for Scotland, with all 14 being scoring in competitive internationals – he is yet to score in 11 friendlies. Only Robert Hamilton (15 goals in Home Nations games between 1899 and 1911) has more goals for the Scots without ever netting in a non-competitive game.
Takefusa Kubo has assisted 16 goals in his last 25 international appearances, averaging an assist every 92 minutes in these matches. He’s also scored six goals in those 25 games, meaning he has a goal or assist every 67 minutes.
When is Scotland v Japan?
16:30 , Chris WilsonJust 30 minutes until kick-off, so here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s game.
Kick-off at Hampden will be at 5pm on Saturday 28 March.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BBC One Scotland, as well as on BBC iPlayer.
Scotland’s World Cup fixtures
16:25 , Chris Wilson13 June: Scotland vs Haiti – 9pm ET/2am BST on 14 June
19 June: Scotland vs Morocco – 6pm ET/11pm BST
24 June: Scotland vs Brazil – 6pm ET/11pm BST
Scotland v Japan | Latest score updates
16:20 , Chris WilsonThe players have all arrived at Hampden...
Scotland’s World Cup 2026 fixtures: Confirmed dates, start times and venues
16:15 , Chris WilsonScotland have learned their group stage opponents for the World Cup 2026 as Steve Clarke’s men were given a tough draw.
Scotland sealed their first World Cup since 1998 in dramatic fashion when they scored two stoppage-time stunners to pip Denmark to top spot in their final qualifier, thereby earning automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament finals.
Having been placed in Pot 3, they will face a daunting test against Brazil from Pot 1 and Morocco, semi-finalists at the last World Cup, from Pot 2. They will also face Haiti from Pot 4, who are returning to a World Cup for the first time since 1976.
Scotland’s first World Cup outing in 28 years will be against that side, with the venue for the clash now confirmed as the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
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Scotland’s World Cup fixtures: Confirmed dates, kick-off and venues
Japan line-up
16:12 , Chris WilsonJapan XI: Suzuki; Sugawara, Seko, Watanabe, Fujita, Suzuki, Maeda, Tanaka, Sano, Ito, Goto.
Team news
16:10 , Chris WilsonSteve Clarke has gone with a couple of notable changes to the side that beat Denmark in November, with Jack Hendry and Nathan Patterson replacing Aaron Hickey and Grant Hanley in defence.
In midfield, Ryan Christie and Ben Gannon-Doak come out in favour of Kenny McLean and Tommy Conway, while Lyndon Dykes takes the place of Che Adams up front.
Scotland line-up
16:06 , Chris WilsonScotland XI: Gunn, Patterson, Hendry, McKenna, Robertson, Ferguson, McLean, McGinn, McTominay, Dykes, Conway.
Subs: Kelly, Bain, Hanley, Tierney, Gilmour, Adams, Christie, Miller, Souttar, McCrorie, Hyam, Hirst, Ralston, Irving, Curtis.
🔢 Your Scotland team news 🏴#SCOJPN pic.twitter.com/cHoj5xsNEh
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 28, 2026
What has Clarke said?
15:55 , Chris WilsonIn his pre-match press conference, Scotland boss Steve Clarke underlined that “both matches will be important in terms of preparation for the World Cup games”.
"Every game with the national team should be an important game, so they're both important in terms of preparation for the summer, very important," Clarke said.
"To play games against two top quality teams from different continents, they'll bring their own challenge – the Japanese side in particular,” he explained.
Clarke added that Japan have “a very interesting way of playing. I found them a really good team to watch in the preparation for the game, the way they play, the way they approach matches, so it will be tough game for us.”
Japan take part in open training at Hampden
15:45 , Chris Wilson
Match stats
15:35 , Chris WilsonJapan have won five of their last six matches against European nations (D1), having lost six games in a row beforehand against European teams.
Scotland have won eight of their last 12 matches (D1 L3), having only won one of their previous 16 beforehand (D5 L10).
Team news
15:25 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups could arrive any time now, so here’s a reminder of the early Scotland team news...
Clarke will be without his No 1 goalkeeper in the 43-year-old Craig Gordon, who faces a race to be fit for the World Cup due to a shoulder injury. His Hearts team-mate, and a scorer in that 4-2 win over Denmark, striker Lawrence Shankland is also unavailable as he builds up his match fitness. Winger Ben Gannon-Doak is another who has only recently returned from injury and doesn’t make the squad, with right back Aaron Hickey also unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
Angus Gunn is likely to start in goal, despite not playing since Scotland’s win over Belarus in October, while Everton right-back Nathan Patterson is back. Kilmarnock’s on-loan forward Findlay Curtis has been handed his first call-up and there have also been recalls for Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway and Wrexham’s Don Hyam.
Liverpool star Andy Robertson says playing for Scotland has ‘kept him going at times’ this season
15:20 , Chris WilsonScotland captain Andy Robertson has revealed that international duty provided a crucial lifeline during a challenging season at club level, as he gears up for this summer's World Cup.
The 32-year-old left-back has seen his starting opportunities at Liverpool diminish this campaign, fuelling ongoing speculation regarding his future.
Speaking to the media ahead of Scotland's friendly against Japan at Barclays Hampden Park on Saturday, and their game with Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium on Tuesday, Robertson emphasised the profound importance of representing his country.
Andy Robertson says playing for Scotland has ‘kept him going’ this season
Scotland train ahead of Japan match
15:10 , Chris Wilson
How Scotland combined the sublime and ridiculous to make World Cup history
15:00 , Jamie BraidwoodBefore we do anything else, let’s dive back into the remarkable night that saw Scotland grab qualification in dramatic circumstances in November. Jamie Braidwood took a look at a historic night...
Ah, lads. My guys. Scotland’s men have qualified for a first World Cup in 28 years, most of my lifetime, and all I can think is how, how have you done it in this way? In the history of Hampden Park, never before have there been the scenes that greeted Kenny McLean’s strike from the halfway line, or Kieran Tierney’s left-footed curler that sent a deprived nation through its most glorious night in a generation.
How indeed. Scotland, let’s be honest, deserved what came for them when Denmark’s Patrick Dorgu equalised for the 10-man visitors in the 81st minute. If you can’t see out such an advantage, then you don’t deserve a place at the World Cup – or so they said. Until Steve Clarke’s side ripped up the definition of glorious failure, reminding us all of the team that has now qualified for a third major international tournament, in itself an unprecedented return.
How Scotland combined the sublime and ridiculous to make World Cup history
Scotland squad for games against Japan and Ivory Coast
14:50 , Chris WilsonGoalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)
Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese)
Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich)
When is Scotland v Japan?
14:45 , Chris WilsonKick-off at Hampden will be at 5pm on Saturday 28 March.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on BBC One Scotland, as well as on BBC iPlayer.
Possible Scotland line-up against Japan
14:41 , Chris WilsonScotland XI: Gunn; Patterson, Hanley, McKenna, Robertson; McGinn, Ferguson, Gilmour, Christie; McTominay; Adams
What is the Scotland team news?
14:36 , Chris WilsonClarke will be without his No 1 goalkeeper in the 43-year-old Craig Gordon, who faces a race to be fit for the World Cup due to a shoulder injury. His Hearts team-mate, and a scorer in that 4-2 win over Denmark, striker Lawrence Shankland is also unavailable as he builds up his match fitness. Winger Ben Gannon-Doak is another who has only recently returned from injury and doesn’t make the squad, with right back Aaron Hickey also unavailable due to a hamstring injury.
Angus Gunn is likely to start in goal, despite not playing since Scotland’s win over Belarus in October, while Everton right-back Nathan Patterson is back. Kilmarnock’s on-loan forward Findlay Curtis has been handed his first call-up and there have also been recalls for Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway and Wrexham’s Don Hyam.
Scotland v Japan live
14:32 , Chris WilsonScotland resume their preparations for this summer’s World Cup - and play their first game since qualifying for the tournament - as they host Japan at Hampden in the first of two friendlies this week.
Steve Clarke’s side will be back in action for the first time since beating Denmark 4-2 on an extraordinary night in November, as passage to a first men’s World Cup since 1998 was dramatically booked.
Now Clarke will oversee his final camp before naming his final World Cup squad, with Scotland arranging games against Japan at Hampden and the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday.
Scotland have stuck with a settled squad as the countdown to that crucial opening game against Haiti on 14 June begins.
Good afternoon
14:28 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of Scotland’s friendly against Japan this evening.
Steve Clarke’s side play their first game since dramatically sealing World Cup qualification against Denmark in November, and this friendly comes against a talented Japanese side that includes the likes of Take Kubo, Ao Tanaka, Daizen Maeda and Karou Mitoma.
This means it will be a suitable test as Scotland begin to intensify their preparations for the World Cup, and we’ll have all the latest build-up, teams news and updates from Hampden right here.
