Kerr and Thomas Return for Scotland's World Cup Play-offs
Experienced duo Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas are named in the Scotland squad for the first time in nearly a year ahead of the Women's World Cup play-offs against the Czech Republic.
Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas have been recalled to the Scotland squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup play-offs against the Czech Republic. This marks their first appearance in a Scotland lineup in approximately a year.
Scotland will travel to Pardubice, east of Prague, on Friday, October 9, for the first leg of the two-legged tie. The return match will be held four days later at St Mirren Park. The winners will advance to another two-legged play-off against either Sweden or Lithuania for a spot in next summer's tournament in Brazil.
Kerr, a midfielder for Liverpool who has also been deployed at right-back in the Women's Super League, has not featured for Scotland under head coach Anna Signeul since February 2025, when she came on as a substitute against the Netherlands. Thomas, who joined Women's Super League 2 side Newcastle United in the summer, earned her 50th cap in a friendly match against Switzerland in October.
Other players returning to the squad include midfielder Freya Gregory and defender Sophie Howard, both of whom missed the previous qualifying matches against Israel. Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny, who scored in Scotland's 7-0 victory over Luxembourg in March, is also back.
Notably absent from the squad are defenders Leah Eddie and Kenzie Weir, as well as strikers Eilidh Adams and Laura Berry. Aston Villa youngster Mia McAulay, who was a late addition to the squad for the June matches, has retained her place.
Under manager Melissa Andreatta, Scotland topped their qualifying group on goal difference, finishing ahead of Belgium. The team is now four games away from qualifying for their first major tournament since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the last two European Championships and the 2023 World Cup.
The full Scotland squad includes:
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).