Steve Clarke is set to make significant changes to his Scotland lineup when they face Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday. After a disappointing defeat to Japan in their previous friendly, Clarke indicated he is likely to make “six or seven changes” for this match as he evaluates his squad ahead of the upcoming world cup.
This fixture marks the first-ever international football match at the recently opened Hill Dickinson Stadium and the first meeting between Scotland and Ivory Coast at senior level. Both nations have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are using this encounter as a final opportunity to test themselves against relevant opposition before heading to North America.
Clarke’s selection plans follow a lackluster showing against Japan, where Angus Gunn started in goal. The manager may use the Ivory Coast match to rotate his goalkeepers. Craig Gordon is expected to challenge Gunn for the number one spot if fit, while Liam Kelly and Scott Bain are competing for the third-choice role. Bain, notably, is currently the only one of the group playing regular club football, featuring for Falkirk, but his last Scotland cap came in March 2019.
The timing and location of the friendly are also deliberate. With Scotland drawn alongside Morocco in Group C at the World Cup, Clarke sought African opposition to replicate some of the challenges his team will face this summer. “We wanted to face African opposition before we play Morocco in the summer and I’m sure Côte d’Ivoire will give us a really stern test,” Clarke said. Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae also views this fixture as vital preparation, especially with Germany awaiting them in their own group.
Ivory Coast arrive in Liverpool after a commanding 4-0 win over South Korea at Stadium MK. Fae’s side demonstrated both attacking strength and defensive discipline, keeping a clean sheet while scoring four goals. The manager emphasized that not conceding against South Korea was crucial for team confidence and expressed satisfaction with his players’ ability to regroup when challenged.
Fae expects a tougher test against Scotland, whom he rates above South Korea. “I believe Scotland are at a higher level than South Korea and it will be a very big test for us,” Fae said ahead of Tuesday’s match. He added that facing a European team like Scotland offers an ideal opportunity to refine his squad selection before finalizing his list for the tournament.
Both teams are making use of their temporary base in England for logistical reasons. Most of Ivory Coast’s squad already play in Europe, with only captain Franck Kessie based outside the continent, making the location practical for both camps. The fixture also allows Everton’s new stadium, opened just over a year ago and set to host Euro 2028 matches, to make its debut as an international venue.
While Clarke is expected to rotate his squad significantly, questions remain about who will start in goal and which fringe players might seize their chance ahead of further friendlies against Curacao at the end of May and one more warm-up before their World Cup opener in Boston on June 14.
For those following international fixtures closely, there has been notable interest from punters exploring the most reliable betting sites ahead of this unique friendly between two World Cup-bound teams.
Ivory Coast’s preparations continue under Fae’s watchful eye, with Tuesday’s match providing another opportunity as he assesses his options before naming his final World Cup squad. As both sides look toward June, all attention turns to what managers can learn from one of their last dress rehearsals, set on neutral ground and carrying significance for players fighting for a place on the plane to North America.
Hill Dickinson Stadium hosts its inaugural international match just over a year after opening, marking a milestone as both teams sharpen up for global competition.
