I Had Emergency Heart Treatment Before World Cup Opener — McTominay

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed that he underwent emergency treatment for an irregular heartbeat just two days before his country’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 29-year-old Napoli player disclosed that he was taken to hospital and had his heart rhythm corrected before Scotland’s opening fixture against Haiti in Massachusetts.

McTominay, speaking to reporters in Glasgow on Tuesday, November 10, said the incident happened after months of preparation for the tournament.

“I had to go and get the shock on my heart. It was two days before the Haiti game. You’ve prepared so well. I was in such good condition and then something like that happens. You’re thinking, ‘How is this happening to me?’” he said.

The midfielder explained that he was placed under sedation during the treatment. Although the experience was unexpected, he was subsequently cleared to play in Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti.

He also featured for the full 90 minutes in Scotland’s subsequent group-stage defeats to Morocco and Brazil.

McTominay admitted that being in hospital so close to the opening match was difficult, although he insisted that the experience should not be treated as an excuse for Scotland’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

The former Manchester United player later underwent a cardiac ablation procedure in Manchester in September to address the irregular heartbeat. The minimally invasive procedure is used to correct abnormal heart rhythms.

The treatment kept him out for the entire month of September and forced him to miss Scotland’s first four Nations League fixtures under new manager Sébastien Pocognoli.

He has since returned to action for Napoli and has been recalled to the Scotland squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

Speaking about his recovery, McTominay said he was feeling considerably better and described the September procedure as successful.

“I’m good. I’m feeling much, much better than what I was. I feel like it was something that needed to be done,” he said.

He added that returning to football and continuing to improve remained his priority.

McTominay’s revelation has provided further insight into the health challenge he faced during Scotland’s World Cup campaign, which had not been publicly disclosed at the time.