Kerr and Thomas recalled for Scotland World Cup play-off — SkimNews
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- Sam Kerr is named in her first Scotland squad in almost a year — her 34th cap came off the bench against the Netherlands in February 2025 — with coach Melissa Andreatta hailing her versatility after the midfielder was deployed at right-back in Liverpool's opening three games this season.
- Martha Thomas earns a recall for the first time since October, when she won her 50th cap; the Newcastle United striker joins Kerr in a squad Andreatta said she will deploy with positional flexibility.
- Scotland face the Czech Republic in a round one two-legged play-off, travelling to Pardubice on Friday 9 October before hosting at St Mirren Park four days later, with the winners advancing to face Sweden or Lithuania.
- Andreatta's unbeaten side topped their qualifying group on goal difference — one better than Belgium — leaving them four games from a first major tournament since the 2019 World Cup after missing the last two European Championships and the 2023 finals.
- Freya Gregory and Sophie Howard return after withdrawing from the previous camp against Israel, while Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny is back for the first time since scoring against Luxembourg in March; defenders Leah Eddie and Kenzie Weir plus strikers Eilidh Adams and Laura Berry drop out.
- Andreatta leaned on her experience as Australia assistant coach at the 2023 World Cup to argue that 'squad depth' is the thinking behind the recalls, telling reporters she is 'preparing' to compete deep into next summer's tournament in Brazil.
Why it matters: Scotland are four games from their first major tournament in six years and first since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the past two Euros and the 2023 finals. Andreatta's unbeaten qualifying run — topped on goal difference over Belgium — makes the Czech Republic tie a credible route back, but the squad's lack of recent tournament exposure is exactly what the Kerr and Thomas recalls are designed to address.
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