The Newcastle winger won’t be signing up to play for Scotland – at least not in time for the 2026 World Cup
18:33, 12 Feb 2026Updated 19:53, 12 Feb 2026
Newcastle star Harvey Barnes has rejected Scotland(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Harvey Barnes has officially said NO to Scotland – to focus on playing for England.
The Newcastle winger is eligible for Scotland through his maternal grandparents and there had been speculation he could declare in time to offer Steve Clarke a massive boost to his wide options in time for this summer’s World Cup.
Barnes, whose sole England cap came in a friendly against Wales in 2020, said in November he was keeping his options open.
But boss Clarke revealed on BBC Radio 5 Live that the 28-year-old has officially turned him down.
He said after the Nations League draw was made on Thursday: “It’s the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it. This time I can say for sure, Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he’s not going to come to Scotland.
“You can put that one out there. That’s for sure. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more.
“Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on.”
Clarke’s immediate focus is now on settling on a squad for the World Cup in North America – then it’s about the Nations League where his side will face Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in the international breaks later this year.
On the draw, Clarke said: “We knew whoever we got, it was going to be difficult. The teams are evenly matched, it’s been a good competition for us in the past so we understand the benefit of it.
“We were in League A the last time and lost out in the playoff to Greece. We expect difficult matches.”
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