George Hirst

George Hirst is a forward in Scotland's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named among the strikers by Steve Clarke when the head coach confirmed his final list on 19 May 2026. The Ipswich Town centre-forward is 27 at kick-off and goes to the finals with eight senior caps and one goal for Scotland.

Hirst came through England's youth teams earlier in his career before switching his international allegiance to Scotland, a move completed in March 2025. The Scots reached the tournament as winners of their UEFA qualifying group, sealing their place in November 2025, and open Group C against Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on 13 June. For a 27-year-old who only switched to Scotland in 2025, a place at the finals marks a quick rise with his adopted nation.

Hirst is a tall centre-forward who leads the line for Ipswich Town. He plays through the middle as a central striker, the focal point of the attack rather than a wide or deep-lying option.

A centre-forward's job is to occupy defenders and get on the end of chances in the box. Hirst gives Scotland that presence up top, an option Steve Clarke can turn to as a recognised number nine.

Hirst gives Scotland's Goal Rush pick a tall, central striker through the middle. Scotland's Tier 4 rating comes in at £10m, leaving plenty of room within the game's £200m card budget, with Group C to come.

At the lower end of the card, his appeal is that focal-point role up front, a recognised centre-forward Steve Clarke can call on when Scotland need a presence in the box during the group stage.