Wrexham's rise fuels Dom Hyam's Scotland World Cup 2026 comeback

Dom Hyam credits Wrexham's rapid progress for securing his place in Scotland's World Cup 2026 squad after a three-year international absence.

Hyam praises club's impact Defender Dom Hyam attributes his re-inclusion in Scotland's squad for the World Cup 2026 to Wrexham's impressive rise during his time at the club. Before joining Wrexham from Blackburn Rovers last summer, Hyam had earned only one senior international cap. His standout performances in Wrexham's seventh-place finish in the Championship last season have strengthened the chances for players to receive international call-ups. 'It just shows well the club have done in such a short period of my time,' the centre-back shared with a media outlet. 'Myself and Libby (New Zealand international Liberato Cacace) are going to the World Cup. I think I'm right in saying the last player to represent Wrexham at a World Cup was Dennis Lawrence. He actually coached me at Coventry a few years ago, so it's funny how these things work out.' Hyam highlighted the club's competitive league status as a key factor in his development. ## From one cap to World Cup squad Dom Hyam earned his first senior cap in 2023 but had to wait nearly three years before making his next appearance for Scotland, which came in a match against Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in March. His third international cap arrived during a 4-1 friendly victory over Curaçao on Saturday. 'I've said all along, I can only control what I do on the pitch at my club,' explained Wrexham captain Hyam. 'I had a pretty solid season and it helps that the club have done well. We only just missed out on the play-offs. So it was a little bit frustrating having to wait a few years between caps, but that's just the way it is. That's football, and hopefully I can get a few more.' ## Scotland's World Cup 2026 schedule ahead Scotland's World Cup 2026 campaign begins against Haiti on June 13, followed by a match against Morocco six days later, both played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The group stage concludes with a high-profile clash against five-time champions Brazil at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on June 24. 'All three games are important, but I'd like to think the first game gives us a good platform to try and get maximum points, but it won't be easy,' Hyam noted. 'It'll be very competitive, and they're probably looking at our game as the game they need to get points as well.' Scotland last featured in a World Cup in 1998, where they also faced Brazil and Morocco. Hyam added, 'There's a bit of romance in there with the history of the Brazil game. It'll be an historic game. We're all buzzing for it, but we've got a few equally as important games before that.' ## Looking to make history for Scotland Hyam, who does not recall Scotland's 1998 World Cup campaign, regularly watches clips of historic national moments. He believes the 2026 squad has the opportunity to create its own history by becoming the first Scotland team to advance from the group stage at a World Cup. 'My first football memory was the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan,' Hyam recalled. 'I probably was a little bit too young for 1998, but I've seen plenty of clips. It's there for everyone to see that it'd be a great accomplishment for Scotland to qualify out of the group.' ## Wrexham's near-miss in Championship Wrexham finished seventh in the Championship in the 2025-26 season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs on the final day. This was the club's first season in the second tier in 43 years, following three consecutive promotions. 'We had a good season, the club have done so well and got so used to winning and having success every season, so we can't let finishing seventh in the Championship be deemed as a failure,' Hyam said. 'We're all disappointed, but [manager Phil Parkinson] was very realistic and proud of the efforts as well.' On preparing for the 2026-27 season, Hyam stated, 'I'm sure there'll be a lot of hard work and conversations that go on about how we can better our chances next season. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to hard work, togetherness, and a few talented players along the way help.' ## Ambitions for season five Season five of Wrexham's popular documentary series is currently being released. Having viewed some of the latest episodes, Hyam expects a warm reception during the World Cup 2026 in America. 'It'll be interesting, definitely. I've managed to watch a couple of episodes. Being in it every day, it's interesting how they merge all of the scenes,' he remarked. 'With the World Cup being in America, I'm sure it'll be a great occasion for everyone.'