![\"Harvey](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2250583641.jpg\")
Harvey Barnes has been in form for Newcastle (Image: Joris Verwijst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nScotland manager Steve Clarke has left the door open for Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes to switch international allegiances from England ahead of the 2026 World CupHarvey Barnes has been in form for Newcastle (Image: Joris Verwijst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has admitted he would consider selecting Harvey Barnes for the World Cup, even though it could cause tension within the squad. Scotland are looking forward to their first World Cup in 28 years in Canada, the United States and Mexico and the possibility of calling up the Newcastle<\/a> winger remains a talking point.<\/p>\n Barnes was born in Burnley<\/a> and has one cap for England, earned in a friendly against Wales in 2020, but he remains eligible to represent Scotland through his grandparents. The 28-year-old knows that forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel’s squad is a long shot, given the fierce competition for places in attack, and has not ruled out switching allegiances.<\/p>\n He has seven goals and two assists in 23 appearances for Newcastle this season and would add to Scotland’s firepower. Clarke was clear that the ball is in Barnes’ court as the Tartan Army look forward to group games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil next summer.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if he\u2019s kept the door open, then the door\u2019s open, so let\u2019s see what happens,” he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just one of those things that it\u2019s probably too difficult to talk about because you don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Man who helped Cristiano Ronaldo become football’s first billionaire now ‘under house arrest’<\/a>READ MORE: Mo Salah issues perfect Liverpool farewell after putting Arne Slot row behind him<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMaybe Harvey thinks he\u2019s going to get picked for England. He\u2019s in a really good vein of form at the moment so let\u2019s see what happens. Obviously, people know I\u2019m quite loyal to the players in the squad, that\u2019s what we\u2019ve built.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve tried to build that across the years, but there are always spaces. The squad size will be 26, which always gives at least three extra spaces to the normal 23-man squad. There\u2019s always injuries and loss of form to take into account.\u201d<\/p>\n Scotland trio Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Angus Gunn were all born in England, making the pathway obvious for Barnes. Asked by Sky Sports<\/a> in November if the door has closed on playing for Scotland<\/a>, he replied: “No, of course it’s not. I’ve obviously played for England, I know the eligibility side is still there.<\/p>\n “So it’s hard to say either way. But like I said, there’s been no real chats or any sort of progression in that sense. It’s not something I’ve really put too much thought into.<\/p>\n “There’s always been the sort of talk about it. Especially recently, it’s not really something that’s been on my mind, nothing that’s really been spoke about. It was great seeing them get through [to the World Cup] and it was a crazy game.”<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community <\/a>and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Scotland](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Steve-Clarke-Scotland.jpg\")
Steve Clarke will take charge of Scotland at the World Cup next summer(Image: Ian MacNicol, Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1756588163_342_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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