Scotland have officially confirmed two home friendlies at Hampden Park against World Cup finalists Japan and Caribbean side Curacao as part of their final preparations for this summer’s tournament in the Americas.

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Fixture Details

Scotland, under head coach Steve Clarke, will host Japan on Saturday, 28 March with a 17:00 GMT kick-off. Two months later, on Saturday, 30 May, the squad will welcome Curacao at 13:00 BST. These matches will serve as the final home warm-ups before the team departs for the World Cup.

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Clarke on Facing Japan and Curacao

Clarke expressed his excitement about the upcoming matches, particularly the opportunity to host a top-20 international side like Japan at Hampden for the first time:

“We’re delighted to face Japan at Hampden. It’s a chance to test ourselves against one of the world’s strongest teams in a stadium with such history and atmosphere.”

The manager also highlighted the value of the Curacao fixture:

“Welcoming Curacao will give us a sense of the CONCACAF federation’s style ahead of our World Cup match against Haiti. It’s a first-ever meeting with this Caribbean side, currently ranked 82nd, two places above Haiti in our group.”

Curacao is currently managed by Dick Advocaat, the former Rangers and Netherlands boss, adding experience and tactical knowledge to the encounter.

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Scotland vs Japan: Historical Context

Scotland and Japan have faced each other three times previously. The most recent meeting was a 2-0 victory for Japan in a friendly in Yokohama in 2009, while the two earlier matches ended in goalless draws. This upcoming clash marks the first time Japan will play at Hampden Park, offering Scottish fans a rare opportunity to see their team take on a top Asian side on home soil.

Japan, led by Hajime Moriyasu, are currently ranked 18th in the FIFA World Rankings, placing them 18 positions above Scotland. This makes the friendly a valuable test of Scotland’s readiness ahead of the global tournament.

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Return to Hampden and World Cup Build-Up

Clarke is also looking forward to his squad returning to Hampden for the first time since November’s thrilling 4-2 win over Denmark, which secured Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup:

“It will be great to meet up with the squad for the first time since that crazy, momentous night. We can reminisce for a day, but then it’s back to the serious business of preparing for the summer.”

The upcoming friendlies not only provide tactical preparation but also give fans the chance to see Scotland in action at home before the squad travels to the Americas for the World Cup.