Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas recalled to Scotland squad for World Cup play-offs

Sam Kerr and Martha Thomas have been recalled to Scotland's squad for the Women's World Cup round one two-legged play-off against the Czech Republic, with Scotland travelling to Pardubice on Friday, 9 October and hosting the return at St Mirren Park four days later.

Melissa Andreatta named the experienced duo in her squad, their first Scotland call-ups in almost a year; Liverpool midfielder Kerr has been used as a right-back in the WSL and has yet to play under Andreatta, while Thomas joined WSL2 side Newcastle United in the summer and previously won her 50th cap in October in a friendly defeat by Switzerland.

Kerr's last of 34 caps came in February 2025 when she appeared off the bench against the Netherlands; that appearance remains her most recent international outing before this recall.

Club-mate Freya Gregory and Como defender Sophie Howard, both of whom withdrew from the last camp ahead of the qualifying double-header with Israel, are included in the squad, and Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny returns after last featuring when she scored in a seven-goal win over Luxembourg in March.

Defenders Leah Eddie and Kenzie Weir and strikers Eilidh Adams and Laura Berry have been omitted from the selection, while Mia McAulay — who was a late addition for the June double-header — keeps her place in Andreatta's squad.

Andreatta's unbeaten side topped their qualifying group on goal difference, finishing one better off than second-placed Belgium, and are now four games away from reaching their first major tournament since the 2019 World Cup, having missed the past two European Championships and the 2023 World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).

Defenders: Georgia Brown (Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Ipswich Town), Rachel McLauchlan (Newcastle United), Amy Muir (Glasgow City).

Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Birmingham City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Christy Grimshaw (AC Milan), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Lyon).

Forwards: Lauren Davidson (Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Aston Villa), Kathleen McGovern (Newcastle United), Martha Thomas (Newcastle United).

Scotland can progress to a further two-legged play-off against either Sweden or Lithuania, with a place at next summer's tournament in Brazil at stake.