Manchester United starlet Tyler Fletcher earns Scotland World Cup call-up | OneFootball

Manchester United will have one more player at the 2026 World Cup in North America as Tyler Fletcher has been handed a late call-up to Scotland’s 26-man squad.

The 19-year-old midfielder was fast-tracked into Steve Clarke’s plans after Napoli’s Billy Gilmour suffered a devastating knee injury during Scotland’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao.

While Gilmour’s injury is a huge blow for Scotland, it has opened a historic door for Fletcher. Just a week ago, the youngster was one of several promising prospects invited to train with the senior squad for experience, after which he came on as a half-time substitute against Curacao to make his senior international debut.

Manager Steve Clarke opted to promote the teenager ahead of several older standby players, capping off a meteoric rise for Fletcher.

He made his Manchester United first-team debut against Tottenham Hotspur in February and was recently named the club’s Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year.

The selection carries immense emotional weight for Scottish football. Tyler is the son of former Manchester United midfielder and iconic Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, who earned 80 caps but never played at a World Cup.

With Scotland back at the finals for the first time since 1998, Tyler now has the chance to achieve the dream that eluded his father.

Scotland face a tough task in North America, drawn in Group C alongside Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil. For Fletcher, the group stage offers the chance to go head-to-head with elite global talent, including soon-to-depart United teammate Casemiro.

What started as a training invitation has become a dream ticket to football’s biggest stage.