Leanne Ross is Scotland's most decorated women's footballer, having earned 133 international caps throughout a playing career that yielded 14 league titles and 13 major cup medals. Yet as the national team's assistant coach, she remains driven by an ambition that eluded her on the pitch: competing in a FIFA Women's World Cup.
Ross represented Scotland at the 2017 European Championship, becoming part of the first women's squad to reach a major tournament. However, she retired before the country qualified for the 2019 World Cup in France, meaning that pinnacle of international football remained out of reach during her playing days.
Now, with Scotland preparing for a crucial play-off double-header against Czech Republic, Ross sees an opportunity to achieve that dream from the coaching bench. The first leg takes place on 9 October at 19:00 CET (18:00 UK) in Pardubice, east of Prague, followed by the home fixture at the Marbill Coaches Stadium in Paisley on 13 October with kick-off at 19:15 local time.
Scotland must navigate these play-offs to reach Brazil 2027. According to UEFA's qualifying structure, the four League A group winners—Denmark, France, Germany and Spain—qualified directly for the tournament, leaving Europe's remaining places to be decided through the play-offs.
It would be huge. I never got to do it as a player, reaching that World Cup stage. I played in the Euro finals and that was an amazing experience and just topped off my career as a player, but to go and do it as part of the coaching staff, it would be such a proud moment.
Ross has become a fixture within Scotland's women's national team structure, transitioning smoothly from her playing career into a coaching role. She brings firsthand knowledge of the pressures and demands of international football, having experienced both triumph and heartbreak at the highest level.
That experience includes tasting play-off disappointment. Two years ago, Finland eliminated Scotland from contention for the 2025 European Championship. Before that, the Republic of Ireland secured a World Cup place in Australia, denying Scotland another opportunity. Many current squad members still carry the emotional weight of those final-hurdle failures.
The path ahead presents formidable obstacles. If Scotland overcome Czech Republic, they will face either Lithuania or Sweden in the second-round play-offs, scheduled between 26 November and 5 December, according to FIFA's tournament schedule. Sweden would represent a particularly daunting challenge, given their status as established heavyweights in European women's football.
Yet Ross approaches the challenge with quiet confidence rather than trepidation. She believes the squad possesses the quality and momentum to break their eight-year drought without a major tournament appearance. Her optimism stems not from complacency but from what she observes in the team's current trajectory and individual talent.
The progress that we're making and the way that we're playing at this moment is a real good opportunity for us to do that. You look at the quality we have, the teams that they're playing for, the environments that they're in and individually them bringing their magic into this team and putting that all together. I think it's a really exciting time for Scotland with the players we have. We need to make sure we give them the platform to go, play and get themselves on that world stage.
Scotland's recent form provides grounds for optimism. The team completed their qualifying group campaign with an unbeaten record against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg, earning promotion back to League A for the next UEFA Nations League campaign. This achievement demonstrates the squad's competitive strength and consistency at the highest level of European football.
Ross, who also serves as Glasgow City head coach, emphasises the importance of creating the right environment for players to perform. She recognises that many squad members operate at elite club level across Europe's top leagues, bringing experience and tactical sophistication to the national setup. Harnessing that collective quality will be essential if Scotland are to navigate the play-offs successfully.
What happens next for Scotland?
Scotland's World Cup qualification journey begins immediately. The away leg in Pardubice on 9 October represents the first critical test, with the return fixture at Paisley on 13 October offering a chance to secure progression. Should they advance past Czech Republic, the second-round play-offs in late November and early December will determine which European nations join the four direct qualifiers in Brazil.
Key Facts
- Ross earned 133 international caps as a player and won 14 league titles and 13 major cup medals during her career
- Scotland's play-off first leg against Czech Republic takes place on 9 October in Pardubice; the home leg is on 13 October in Paisley
- Scotland completed their qualifying group unbeaten, securing promotion to League A for the next UEFA Nations League campaign
- The four League A group winners qualified directly for Brazil 2027; all other European places are being decided through play-offs
- If Scotland advance, they face either Lithuania or Sweden in second-round play-offs between 26 November and 5 December
