Scotland captain Caroline Weir ruled out of World Cup play-off with Sweden

Scotland will be without captain Caroline Weir for the World Cup play-off final against Sweden after a setback in her recovery from a muscle injury, the Scottish squad confirmed, and Aston Villa forward Mia McAulay is also missing with a calf problem, with Beth Lumsden and Eilidh Adams added to the squad.

Weir pulled up in the warm‑up before Scotland's win over Czech Republic in Paisley a month ago and has not played for Lyon since. She has scored 32 goals in 122 Scotland appearances. "Of course we're disappointed for Caroline," said head coach Melissa Andreatta. "She's our captain and she has spoken about how much she loves this team."

Andreatta outlined her selection approach despite the absences, saying: "But for us, it's all about the players that we have. Our focus is on working together and doing whatever it takes to be on the right side of the result." She added: "We don't fear anybody," and said: "We have a squad full of quality and we have shown our character and what we are all about. "I'm confident and that comes from our preparation and our experience."

Sweden have been at every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991 and finished third at the last two editions. BBC Scotland will broadcast the opening game while the action in Sweden will be shown by BBC ALBA. Victory in the play-off could secure Scotland's spot at Brazil 2027, although there remains the possibility of an intercontinental play-off in February for Europe's lowest ranked play-off final winner.

Goalkeepers: Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit), Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City). Defenders: Georgia Brown (SC 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), Beth Lumsden (Newcastle United), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa). Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Ipswich Town), Lauren Davidson (SK Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Kathleen McGovern (Newcastle United), Martha Thomas (Newcastle United).

The play-off is contested over two legs, with the first match in Paisley on 1 December and the return in Stockholm on 5 December.