Scott McTominay reveals he needed a heart shock before Scotland’s World Cup opener

Scott McTominay says he required a “shock to my heart” just two days before Scotland’s opening match against Haiti at the 2026 World Cup in June.

The Napoli midfielder underwent heart surgery in Manchester in September to treat a minor irregularity in his heartbeat. The problem first appeared after he arrived in the United States in early June and continued to affect him in August, when he returned to Italy to play for his club.

Scotland’s camp had sought to keep the situation private and said the 29-year-old had missed training before the World Cup because of a stomach complaint.

But speaking at a news conference at Hampden on Tuesday, the former Manchester United player disclosed the seriousness of the issue.

“I had to have the shock to my heart two days before the Haiti game,” McTominay said.

McTominay played in all three of Scotland’s matches at the World Cup, although he struggled to reach the required level as his side were eliminated in the group stage.

“I was 100% fit, but obviously when you are sitting on a hospital bed two days before your first World Cup game, about to be put under anaesthetic, it is not ideal, is it?” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“I had prepared well and was in very good condition, then something like that happens and you ask yourself, ‘Why is this happening to me?’”

McTominay stressed that he did not regard the heart problem as an excuse.

“It is not an excuse by any means, but it is something you have to look at and say, ‘OK, it is part of the process,’” he added.

He said Scotland’s disappointing World Cup campaign affected him for several weeks afterwards.

“Obviously, with the way the World Cup went, I spent at least two or three weeks sitting there feeling disappointed, and I was not in a good mental state,” McTominay said. “I needed time to settle and rest.”

“After the World Cup, it was probably the biggest disappointment I have felt in my career,” he added.

“I always look at the brighter side of things, but this took a full two weeks to get over.”

McTominay returned to action with Napoli at the start of the season, but after appearing in their first two Serie A matches he decided surgery was the only option. He then spent the whole of September out of action while recovering from the corrective procedure.

Scotland are listed to face North Macedonia in Nations League – Pathway Two on 13 November 2026.