Scotland learn Belarus World Cup qualifying venue but there's a major sticking point
Scotland have discovered they will face Belarus in Hungry behind closed doors in their World Cup qualifier.
UEFA have confirmed the venue as Steve Clarke and his troops get ready to face the group minnows alongside Denmark and Greece as they bid to reach the Finals.
Advertisement
In their quest to reach USA, Canada and Mexico, Scotland come up against the outsiders on matchday two in September after a trip to Copenhagen to face top seeds Denmark.
READ MORE: Twenty five extra Premier Sports Cup fixtures to be streamed live in bumper broadcast move
READ MORE: Chasing East Kilbride to title cost Albion Rovers, admits boss
The venue for that trip has now been confirmed and the clash will take place in the western Hungarian outpost of Zalaegerszeg - 135 miles from the capital, Budapest.
Belarus are not allowed to play their 'home' matches in their own country due to UEFA restrictions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Advertisement
And they will host the Scots - but not the Tartan Army - at the ZTE Arena, home of Zalaegerszegi TE.
Belarus have faced Bulgaria, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg at the venue in three previous Nations League outings they've had there and drew them all.
Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw and boss Michael O'Neill wasn't happy about UEFA's decision to make them play there with no fans.
He said: "It will have the feel of a fixture played during Covid.
"It is not ideal making Belarus play us in a neutral venue, but we will have to deal with it and it will have a different feel.
"It's very disappointing for our fans that they are unable to attend the game."
Advertisement
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
8 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Spain's Aitana Bonmatí Hospitalized With Meningitis Ahead of Women's Euro
Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí, the two-time Ballon d'Or holder, has been hospitalized with viral meningitis less than a week before the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament begins. Spain coach Montse Tomé said late on Friday that her star player had felt ill and was taken to a hospital in Madrid where she tested positive for meningitis. Spain's team is set to travel to Switzerland on Sunday for the tournament. Its first game is against Portugal on Thursday in Bern. It will also face Belgium and Italy in Group B at Euro 2025. "Aitana is a very important player for us and we will wait for her," Tomé said after Bonmatí missed Friday's friendly against Japan in the Spanish capital when Spain beat the visitors 3-1. Tomé said that Bonmatí started feeling bad with a fever during practice early on Friday. "She has authorized me to say that she has viral meningitis," Tomé said. "The word is scary, but the doctor tells me that she is under control. She will remain in the hospital and we don't know for how long." The 27-year-old Bonmatí has won the top individual award for women's soccer for the past two years. The Barcelona player was key in Spain winning the 2023 Women's World Cup. Bonmatí's vision, dribbling skills, passing and goals have been also been vital to Barcelona reaching five consecutive Champions League finals, with the Catalan club winning three titles. Her absence would put more pressure on Alexia Putellas, herself a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, and fellow Barcelona midfielder Patricia Guijarro to led Spain. Against Japan, Tomé started 18-year-old Vicky López in place of Bonmatí. Three years ago, Putellas tore her ACL three days before starting the 2022 European Championship. Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals without its then-top player. Spain should still be favored in its opener against Portugal, a team it beat twice in April — including a 7-1 home victory — in the Nations League. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from UEFA Women's EURO Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Granddaughter of major Edinburgh film star dating Scottish footballer
The granddaughter of an Edinburgh film star celebrated Scottish cup glory with her Aberdeen star boyfriend, Dante Polvara. The midfielder was a hero at Hampden as Aberdeen Football Club pulled off a shock Scottish cup victory over Scotland, and by his side was none other than Natasha Connery, granddaughter of Sir Sean Connery- the original James Bond. During the match he was brought off the bench and scored a penalty in the shootout as Aberdeen FC won 4-3, reports The Daily Record. READ MORE: Liam Gallagher issues 'stern warning' as start time revealed ahead of Edinburgh Oasis gigs READ MORE: Young Edinburgh man missing after 'out of character' disappearance at 5am Off the pitch, the 25-year-old American who signed for Pittodrie straight from New York City FC's youth sides, has been dating Natasha since last summer. She is the daughter of Sir Sean Connery's stepson, making her a true Bond legacy. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox The first actor to bring 007 to life on the big screen, starring in classics like Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever, Sir Sean Connery also bagged an Oscar for The Untouchables and was knighted in 2000 for his contribution to film. Adding another twist, former Rangers chairman Sir David Murray revealed that Connery secretly invested £1million into the club. Murray wrote in his book Mettle: "For years, Sean and I would share a catch-up call every weekend to chat through the football and we would inevitably kick off with Rangers. "After all, he had put £1million into the club which no one knew about at the time or even since. "I was raising £50million in 2004 and Sean asked if he could invest. "I told him that it was football, that there were no guarantees and he should get professional advice but he was adamant - he wanted in." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Five Scots star in Lions' thumping win over Western Force
Finn Russell shone in his first appearance of the 2025 tour [Getty Images] Five Scotland stars were involved in the British & Irish Lions tour-opening victory over the Western Force in Perth, with Huw Jones making his debut. Pierre Schoeman, Scott Cummings, Finn Russell and Sione Tuipulotu were all in from the start while Jones entered in the 55th minute. Advertisement Russell was making his first start of the tour, having missed last weekend's loss to Argentina after guiding Bath to the Premiership title in England. He started in fine fashion, as his cross-kick helped set up captain Dan Sheehan's opening try, before almost scoring a fine solo effort with a disguised tap-and-go in the 35th minute, popping up for Elliot Daly to score when he himself was held short. Tuipulotu was shifted from outside to inside centre and looked slightly more comfortable in partnership with Garry Ringrose. He's the only player to play every minute of the tour so far. Eagle-eyed fans also noticed that Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams limped from the field after his second try, seemingly nursing a hamstring injury. Advertisement Lions' head coach Andy Farrell has said it's "too early to know" what the impact will be, but Scotland's Ben White will surely be high in Farrell's thinking if a new number nine is needed.
