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By JOHN MCGARRY Published: 06: 50 AEDT, 13 February 2026 | Updated: 06: 50 AEDT, 13 February 2026 View comments Steve Clarke has been dealt a major blow ahead of the World Cup after Harvey Barnes turned down the chance to represent Scotland. The Newcastle United winger was capped once for England in a friendly against Wales in 2020 but remains eligible to pull on a Dark Blue jersey through his maternal grandparents. After Scotland qualified for the World Cup, the Burnley-born player spoke openly about the possibility of switching allegiance. However, having taken time to consider the matter, he has now told the Scotland boss that he intends trying to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad for this summer’s finals. Clarke had been cautiously optimistic that the player would declare for Scotland this month, but will now have to plan without him. ‘It’s the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it, ’ said Clarke at the Nations League draw in Brussels. Harvey Barnes would rather take his chances on making England's squad than going to World Cup with Scotland Scotland-qualified Barnes considered his options but has now rejected Hampden overtures Head coach Steve Clarke revealed Barnes had turned down Scots at Nations League draw ‘This time I can say for sure, Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he’s not going to come to Scotland. ‘You can put that one out there. That’s for sure. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more. ‘Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on. ’ In preparation for their first World Cup since 1998, Scotland will face Japan at Hampden, then the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next month. There is then a farewell Hampden game against Curacao in late May before a friendly against Peru in New Jersey completes the build-up to the competitive matches against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Meanwhile, Scotland have been drawn against Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in Group B1 of the Nations League. The matches will commence in the autumn.
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