A Long Time Coming
The Inside Story of Scotland's Journey Through the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

A Long Time Coming tells the inside story of Scotland’s dramatic return to the World Cup after a painful 28-year wait. Following the disappointment of Euro 2024, Steve Clarke’s side faced a daunting Nations League campaign in League A, impressing against superior opposition before a heavy play-off loss to Greece. With Clarke hinting this World Cup qualification campaign might be his last, and with many key players approaching or already 30 years old, the pressure was on. FIFA’s new format meant six games across ten weeks would decide everything, leaving little margin for error. A favourable qualifying draw and confidence from their Nations League performances offered hope as they began the campaign in Copenhagen. True to form, Scotland turned a sprint into a gruelling test of endurance, culminating in one of Hampden Park’s greatest nights. Told through exclusive player interviews with original audio from their conversations with author and narrator Andy Bargh, this is the story of Scotland's journey from despair to delirium on the road to their first World Cup since 1998.