It's the summer a generation of Scotland fans have waited for as the Tartan Army prepares to end a 28-year World Cup finals absence.
Steve Clarke and his squad will depart for the United States on Sunday, a day after facing Caribbean minnows Curacao in Glasgow, and with the news that Scotland's most successful boss has inked a contract extension this week.
They'll view this as a good test, as they face Haiti - who play in the same CONCACAF federation as Curacao - on June 14th in their opening game at the World Cup in Massachusetts.
Scotland v Curacao Tips Summary
Best Bet - Scotland to win & Both teams to score @ 9/4
Alternative Bet - Lawrence Shankland anytime goalscorer @ 10/11
Bet Builder - Scotland to win, Scott McTominay to score & Ryan Christie 1+ shots on target @ 16/5
Scotland v Curacao Prediction
Best Bet: Scotland to win & Both teams to score @ 9/4
The Scotland squad are assured of a massive send-off as they face Curacao in their final assignment before departing for America and a first World Cup appearance since France '98.
It has been too long for the Tartan Army, and Clarke and his squad punched their passports with an historic 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden Park in November.
They were beaten one nil in friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast in March, but should be able to return to winning ways here.
Curacao will make history next month becoming the smallest nation by both population and area to appear at the World Cup.
A former colony, there remains a heavy Dutch influence and that shows in the squad, many of whom are playing their club football in the Netherlands.
Dick Advocaat, the former Rangers boss returning to Glasgow, is back in charge having previously stepped away for family reasons.
They scored 20 goals in 10 competitive outings in 2025, including beating Scotland's opening World Cup opponents Haiti 5-1 in a qualifier. They lost by the same scoreline in a friendly against Australia in Melbourne in March.
Scotland can jet off to the USA with a victory, but Curacao may get a goal to mark the occasion.
Alternative Bet: Lawrence Shankland anytime goalscorer @ 10/11
Few members of the Scotland squad will be feeling better than Lawrence Shankland this week.
The striker agonisingly missed out on the Scottish Premiership title with Hearts this month, but has since secured a dream move to boyhood heroes Rangers.
Shankland, 30, signed off the season by returning from injury to score five goals in Hearts' final seven games.
It wasn't enough as the Jambos were pipped at the post by Celtic, but he's in form and was on target here in that win over Denmark in November.
He can stake a claim to be Scotland's leading man in the World Cup opener by finding the net here.
Scotland v Curacao Bet Builder Tip
Scotland to win
Scott McTominay to score
Ryan Christie 1+ shots on target
Pays 16/5
Scotland's record in friendlies is poor, with just two wins in their previous 13 such outings, but Clarke's squad will be desperate to head to the World Cup on a high.
They have one more game, against Bolivia in New Jersey, before facing Haiti and momentum will be their target.
Curacao lost spring friendless Down Under against China and Australia, conceding seven times, and November's win over Bermuda is their only victory in five games.
Scott McTominay scored one goal for Scotland in his first 37 appearances but now has a further 13 for the Tartan Army in 32 games since.
He hit double figures in Serie A with Napoli again this season and should get opportunities to add to his tally here.
Ryan Christie missed Bournemouth's final two Premier League games due to suspension and should see plenty of game time here.
He scored twice in three outings back in the autumn and is never shy at having a crack at goal, so a shot on target is a distinct possibility.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Prior to their spring friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, Scotland had won five of their previous seven games (D1, L1)
Curacao have won just one of their last five games, beating Bermuda 7-0 in CONCACAF qualifying in October
The Caribbean side lost March friendlies against China (2-0) and Australia (5-1)
Dick Advocaat stepped down in February but then returned earlier this month following Fred Rutten's resignation as Curacao manager
Lawrence Shankland scored five goals in his final seven Premiership games for Hearts and signed for Rangers this week
Five of Scotland's last seven games at Hampden Park have yielded over 2.5 goals
View details of how to watch Scotland v Curacao on site.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
