Scotland’s Callum Hickey to Return for Denmark in World Cup Qualifiers Against Belarus and Ukraine

World Cup qualifying matches. Read about the squad updates and Scotland's path to the 2026 World Cup.">

Aaron Hickey Back In The Scotland Squad For world Cup Qualifying Campaign

August 25, 2025

aaron Hickey, the Brentford defender, is poised to rejoin the Scotland National Team for the upcoming World Cup Qualification series. This marks his return to the squad after a nearly two-year absence, offering a significant boost to Manager Steve Clarke’s options.

Hickey, aged 23, has recently made substitute appearances in the Premier League, signaling his return to form following a period sidelined as October 2023. His last appearance for Scotland was also during that same month, accumulating a total of 14 international caps to date.

Key Players Return From injury

Alongside Hickey, several other prominent players are making their comebacks from injury. Ryan Christie,Ben Doak,and Lyndon Dykes have all been included in the squad,bolstering Scotland’s attacking options. These returns are particularly timely as the team prepares for pivotal qualifying matches.

Goalkeeping Situation Under Scrutiny

The goalkeeping position is currently under review,with hearts’ Zander Clark potentially favored to start. This is due to the fact that Angus Gunn of Nottingham Forest and Liam Kelly of Rangers have not yet seen regular game time this season. The competition for the starting spot promises intense training sessions.

Did You Know? Scotland has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup since 1998, creating a strong desire among players and fans to break that drought.

Serie A Depiction Grows

Blackburn Rovers’ Dominic Hyam has also earned a recall, adding depth to the defensive line. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Lennon Miller, currently with Udinese, retains his place in the squad and is one of Four midfielders who now play their club football in Italy’s Serie A. This growing presence of Scottish talent in the Italian league highlights the expanding international reach of Scottish football.

Scotland’s Qualifying schedule

Scotland’s qualification journey begins on September 5th with an away match against Denmark. Three days later, they will face Belarus, marking the start of a challenging Group C campaign. Greece completes the group,with only the group winner guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup,co-hosted by the USA,Canada,and Mexico.

Opponent	Date	Location
Denmark	September 5, 2025	Away
Belarus	September 8, 2025	Away

Several players have been left out of the squad, including Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway, as well as Greg Taylor, Josh Doig, James Wilson, nathan Patterson, and Ryan Porteous. these omissions reflect the competitive nature of the selection process and the Manager’s strategic decisions.

Pro Tip: Following Scotland’s progress will be crucial for fans, as qualifying for the World Cup has been a long-standing ambition for the nation.

The Evolution of Scottish Football

Scottish Football has a rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. The Scottish Football Association, founded in 1873, is one of the oldest football associations in the world. Scottish FA. Over the years, the national team has experienced periods of success and challenge, captivating fans with its passionate play and dedicated supporters. The current emphasis on developing young talent and seeking opportunities for players in top European leagues aims to strengthen the national team’s competitiveness on the international stage.

The path to World Cup qualification is notoriously challenging, with numerous hurdles to overcome.Scotland’s performance in recent qualifying campaigns has been marked by both promising results and frustrating setbacks. The recall of experienced players like Aaron hickey, combined with the emergence of promising youngsters, offers hope for a accomplished qualification bid.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scotland’s World Cup Qualifying Campaign

• What is Aaron Hickey’s position? Aaron Hickey is a versatile defender who primarily plays as a full-back.
• When is Scotland’s first World Cup qualifier? Scotland’s first qualifier is against Denmark on September 5,2025.
• Who are Scotland’s other group opponents? Scotland is in Group C with Denmark, Belarus, and Greece.
• Has Scotland qualified for the World Cup recently? No, Scotland has not qualified for the World Cup since 1998.
• Where will the 2026 World Cup be hosted? The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

What are your predictions for Scotland’s chances in the World cup qualifiers? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

What specific impact is Callum Hickey’s return expected to have on Denmark’s defensive stability in the upcoming qualifiers?

Hickey’s Road to Recovery & Reintegration

Callum Hickey,the Scottish defender currently plying his trade with[InsertHickey’sCurrentClub-[InsertHickey’sCurrentClub-research needed],is poised for a significant return to the Denmark national team for their crucial upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Belarus and Ukraine. This marks a welcome comeback for the 27-year-old, following a[SpecifyInjury-[SpecifyInjury-research needed]that sidelined him for[DurationofInjury-[DurationofInjury-research needed]. The Danish squad will undoubtedly benefit from his experience and defensive solidity as they navigate these pivotal qualifiers.

Match Details & Qualifying Group Dynamics

Denmark faces Belarus on September 2nd, 2025, at[Venue-[Venue-research needed], followed by a challenging away fixture against ukraine on September 7th, 2025, at[Venue-[Venue-research needed]. These matches are critical in Group[GroupNumber-[GroupNumber-research needed]of the UEFA World Cup qualifying campaign.Currently, Denmark sits[CurrentStandinginGroup-[CurrentStandinginGroup-research needed], with[PointsTotal-[PointsTotal-research needed]points.Ukraine and Belarus are positioned at[Ukraine’sStanding-[Ukraine’sStanding-research needed]and[Belarus’sStanding-[Belarus’sStanding-research needed]respectively, making both encounters highly competitive. The stakes are high, with direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, hosted in[HostNation(s)-[HostNation(s)-research needed], on the line.

Hickey’s Role in the Danish Defense

Hickey’s anticipated return provides Denmark manager[DenmarkManager’sName-[DenmarkManager’sName-research needed]with valuable tactical options. He is expected to compete for a starting position alongside[KeyDanishDefenders-[KeyDanishDefenders-research needed]in the center of defense. His strengths lie in:

Aerial Duels: Hickey consistently wins a high percentage of aerial challenges, crucial against physically imposing opponents.

Tackling & interceptions: Known for his aggressive yet disciplined tackling and timely interceptions.

Passing Range: Possesses a good passing range, enabling him to initiate attacks from the back.

Leadership Qualities: A vocal presence on the pitch, capable of organizing the defense.

His inclusion adds depth and experience to a Danish backline that will be tested by the attacking threats posed by both Belarus and Ukraine. Analyzing Denmark’s defensive statistics without Hickey during his absence reveals a[QuantifiableStatistic-[QuantifiableStatistic-research needed, e.g., increase in goals conceded], highlighting the impact of his presence.

Recent Form & Club Performance

Prior to joining the national team, Hickey has been in[Describehickey’sRecentForm-[Describehickey’sRecentForm-research needed, e.g., good form, returning to form]for his club,[Hickey’sCurrentclub-[Hickey’sCurrentclub-research needed]. He has featured in [Number] matches this season, contributing with[goals/Assists-[goals/Assists-research needed]and consistently demonstrating his defensive prowess. His club performances will be a key indicator of his readiness for the demands of international football.Recent scouting reports suggest he has fully recovered from his injury and is operating at near peak physical condition.

Key Battles to Watch

Several key individual battles will likely shape the outcomes of these qualifying matches:

1. Hickey vs.Belarusian Striker[BelarusianStriker’sname-[BelarusianStriker’sname-research needed]: A physical contest between Hickey and Belarus’s main goal threat.
2. Hickey vs. Ukrainian Winger[UkrainianWinger’sName-[UkrainianWinger’sName-research needed]: Testing Hickey’s pace and ability to track runners.
3. Denmark’s Midfield vs. Ukraine’s Midfield: Control of the midfield will be paramount in dictating the tempo of the game.

Denmark’s World Cup Qualifying History

Denmark has a strong history in World Cup qualifying, having appeared in [Number] World Cup tournaments. Their recent performances have been[DescribeRecentWorldCupPerformance-[DescribeRecentWorldCupPerformance-research needed, e.g., consistent, inconsistent], and they will be eager to secure their place in the 2026 edition. Historically, Denmark has struggled against[TeamsDenmarkHistoricallyStrugglesAgainst-[TeamsDenmarkHistoricallyStrugglesAgainst-research needed]in qualifying campaigns, but their recent record against Belarus and Ukraine has been[DescribeRecordAgainstOpponents-[DescribeRecordAgainstOpponents-research needed].

Potential Lineups

Denmark (Predicted): [goalkeeper-[goalkeeper-research needed],[RightBack-[RightBack-research needed], Hickey,[CenterBackPartner-[CenterBackPartner-research needed],[LeftBack-[LeftBack-research needed],[DefensiveMidfielder-[DefensiveMidfielder-research needed],[CentralMidfielder-[CentralMidfielder-research needed],[AttackingMidfielder-[AttackingMidfielder-research needed],[RightWinger-[RightWinger-research needed],[LeftWinger-[LeftWinger-research needed],[Striker-[Striker-research needed].

Ukraine (Predicted): [Goalkeeper-[Goalkeeper-research needed],[RightBack-[RightBack-research needed],[CenterBack-*researchneeded[CenterBack-*researchneeded