Steve Clarke confirmed he is required to submit a provisional 55-man squad list for the upcoming World Cup. This preliminary registration is a mandatory requirement for all participating nations. The expanded list serves as a safety net for national team managers to handle late injury concerns before the final tournament begins.
FIFA rules dictate that any player selected for the final 26-man travelling party must be chosen from this original longlist. Managers cannot add players to the group once the provisional deadline passes. Clarke noted that while the number appears high, it allows for better preparation and injury cover, according to Sky Sports.
The final squad for the tournament in North America will eventually be trimmed to 26 players. Scotland qualified for the finals following a successful campaign, marking their first appearance at the global event since 1998. The Scottish Football Association expects to submit the documentation in the coming weeks, per reports from The Guardian. No new injury concerns were reported following the recent international break.
