Scotland lose to Japan 1-0 in first World Cup warm-up at Hampden

Scotland have lost 1-0 against Japan in their international match at Hampden Park.

Junya Ito’s late goal gave Japan the win in Steve Clarke’s side’s first 2026 World Cup warm-up game.

Clarke’s players left the Barclays Hampden pitch to euphoric scenes in November after their dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark qualified them for the finals in North America but their return to the national stadium was a much more sedate event.

Both sides hit woodwork in the first half but Hajime Moriyasu’s side created more opportunities after the break and substitute Ito shot past keeper Angus Gunn in the 84th minute to break the deadlock and leave Scotland winless in four meetings against Japan.

Scotland take on Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson stadium on Tuesday night and they have two more warm-up games against Curacao and an as yet unnamed opponent before they take to the biggest stage of all for the first time in 28 years in the USA – where they face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in their group.

If there was a sense of anti-climax about the game against Japan, the Tartan Army will no doubt see a more energised home side when it matters this summer.