Devastated Gilmour reacts after World Cup blow: ‘I haven’t got the words’ | OneFootball

Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour has had his say after suffering a heartbreaking knee injury which has ruled him out of the upcoming 2026 World Cup with Scotland: ‘It’s been a tough one to get my head around’.

Gilmour: World Cup injury ‘tough to get my head around’

Gilmour, 24, was not yet born the last time that Scotland qualified for the finals of the FIFA World Cup back in 1998, and the Partenopei man had been expected to play a key role in Steve Clarke’s side heading into the 2026 tournament in North America.

Unfortunately, he sustained an injury to his knee during Scotland’s penultimate friendly before the start of the World Cup, an eventual 4-1 win over Curacao, and it has since been confirmed that Gilmour will no longer be able to feature at this summer’s tournament.

“I haven’t got the words to describe how I’m feeling right now,” a heartbroken Gilmour wrote in a post on Instagram.

“Being so close to a childhood dream of mine, to play in a World Cup, and now it has been taken away from me with an injury. It’s been a tough one to get my head around.

“Your support and kind messages over the last few days mean the world to me and haven’t gone unnoticed, so thank you so much. I’ll see you all back doing what I love again soon but until then, let’s get behind the team and cheer them on. Come on Scotland!”

NAPLES, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 26: Billy Gilmour of SSC Napoli controls the ball during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Palermo at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 26, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Scotland will still be represented by three other Serie A stars at the 2026 World Cup, including Gilmour’s Napoli teammate Scott McTominay. The Tartan Army squad also includes Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson and Torino’s Che Adams.

Sassuolo’s Josh Doig, Udinese’s Lennon Miller and Hellas Verona’s Kieron Bowie did not quite do enough to earn a spot in the Scotland squad for the 2026 World Cup.