Scotland recall Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas for Czech Republic play-off
September 23, 2026 13:30
WHAT HAPPENED
Head coach Melissa Andreatta named the squad that will travel to Pardubice, east of Prague, on Friday 9 October and then welcome the Czechs to St Mirren Park four days later. The tie’s winner would progress to a further two-legged play-off against either Sweden or Lithuania, with a place at next summer's tournament in Brazil at stake.
Kerr and Thomas return to the national squad after extended absences. Liverpool midfielder Sam Kerr — who has been deployed at right-back in the WSL — has yet to play under Andreatta; the last of her 34 caps came in February 2025 off the bench against the Netherlands. Martha Thomas, who joined WSL2 side Newcastle United in the summer, reached 50 caps in October in a friendly defeat by Switzerland.
Also back in the squad are Freya Gregory and Como defender Sophie Howard, both of whom withdrew from the previous camp ahead of the qualifying double-header with Israel. Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny, who last featured when she scored in a seven-goal win over Luxembourg in March, returns as well. Defenders Leah Eddie and Kenzie Weir, plus strikers Eilidh Adams and Laura Berry, drop out. Mia McAulay, a late addition to the June double-header, keeps her place.
KEY CONTEXT
Andreatta’s unbeaten side topped their qualifying group on goal difference — one better off than second-placed Belgium — and are now four games away from their first major tournament since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the past two European Championships and the 2023 World Cup.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).
Defenders: Georgia Brown (Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Ipswich Town), Rachel McLauchlan (Newcastle United), Amy Muir (Glasgow City).
Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Birmingham City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Christy Grimshaw (AC Milan), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Lyon).
Forwards: Lauren Davidson (Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Aston Villa), Kathleen McGovern (Newcastle United), Martha Thomas (Newcastle United).