Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed that he required a medical procedure to have his heart "shocked" just two days before his team’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup against Haiti.
The 29-year-old Napoli player disclosed the details during a press conference at Hampden on Tuesday. He explained that the intervention was necessary to address a mild, benign heart arrhythmia that had first emerged when the squad arrived in the United States in June.
At the time of the tournament, the Scotland camp attributed McTominay's absence from training sessions to a stomach complaint. The midfielder played in all three of Scotland's group-stage matches, though the team was ultimately eliminated from the competition.
Reflecting on the experience, McTominay described the mental toll of the situation, noting that sitting in a hospital bed shortly before the start of the World Cup was a difficult process to navigate while preparing for the tournament.
Following the World Cup, McTominay underwent a corrective cardiac ablation procedure in Manchester in September. The surgery successfully treated the condition, and he spent the remainder of that month sidelined from professional football.
McTominay missed Scotland's first four matches under new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli during his recovery. He has since returned to action, featuring in nine matches for Napoli and rejoining the national squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The midfielder expressed relief at his recovery, stating that he is feeling significantly better and is pleased to be back playing regularly. He described the procedure as straightforward and emphasized his focus on his return to the pitch.
Scotland is scheduled to face North Macedonia on November 13, followed by an away match against Switzerland on November 16. McTominay is expected to be available for both fixtures as the team continues its Nations League campaign.
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