Scott McTominay Reveals Heart Was ‘Shocked’ Two Days Before Scotland’s World Cup Opener
Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay has revealed he had his heart “shocked” just two days before his country’s World Cup opener against Haiti in June 2026, an episode he kept private until speaking at Hampden on Tuesday 10 November 2026. The 29-year-old Napoli midfielder was put to sleep while doctors corrected an irregular heartbeat, then cleared to play as Scotland won their opening game 1-0 in Massachusetts.
McTominay, a former Manchester United midfielder, said the procedure came at the worst possible moment after months of preparation. He went on to play all three of Scotland’s group matches, but the team lost to Morocco and Brazil and exited at the group stage.
Scott McTominay Heart Treatment — Quick Reference Summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Scott McTominay, 29, Napoli midfielder and Scotland international |
| Revelation | Heart “shocked” two days before Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti, June 2026 |
| Procedure at the World Cup | Put to sleep while doctors corrected an irregular heartbeat; cleared to play |
| World Cup result | Scotland beat Haiti 1-0, then lost to Morocco and Brazil; group-stage exit |
| Underlying condition | Mild, benign heart arrhythmia, first noticed after Scotland arrived in the United States in early June 2026 |
| Follow-up treatment | Cardiac ablation in Manchester in September 2026; spent September on the sidelines |
| Matches missed | Scotland’s first four Nations League games under Sebastien Pocognoli — one win, one draw, two defeats |
| Return | Back in the Scotland squad; featured in all nine Napoli matches since the last international break |
| Next fixtures | Scotland vs North Macedonia, Friday 13 November 2026, 7.45pm, Hampden; Switzerland vs Scotland, Monday 16 November 2026, 7.45pm |
| Revealed | Press conference at Hampden, Tuesday 10 November 2026 |
Two Days Before Haiti: A Hospital Bed Instead of a Training Pitch
McTominay described the timing as brutal. “I had to go and get the shock on my heart two days before the Haiti game,” he said at Hampden, adding that he had been in peak condition after preparing so well for the tournament. “I was 100 per cent [fit], but obviously when you’re sat in a hospital bed two days before the first game of the World Cup about to get put to sleep, it’s not ideal, is it?”
The procedure steadied his heart rhythm, and medical staff gave him the all-clear to take his place in the team. Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in their opener in Massachusetts, with McTominay playing his part despite having been in a hospital bed only 48 hours earlier. He then played the full 90 minutes in the two group games that followed, the defeats to Morocco and Brazil.
The Cover Story, the Ablation and a September on the Sidelines
At the time, the Scotland camp said McTominay had missed training in the lead-up to the World Cup due to a stomach complaint, keeping the heart issue under wraps. The mild, benign arrhythmia first came to light after the Scots arrived in the United States in early June, and it continued to affect him in August while he was back in Italy with Napoli.
Sky Sports reported that McTominay returned to action with Napoli at the start of this season, but after playing his first two Serie A matches he decided surgery was the only option. He underwent a cardiac ablation in Manchester in September, a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct irregular heart rhythms, and spent the whole month on the sidelines.
The operation went well, in his own words. “It looks a lot worse to people in the media and family and friends who reach out to you after they’ve seen news relating to a heart issue,” he said. “But it was a relatively straightforward procedure which went really, really well in Manchester.”
A World Cup That Left McTominay at His Lowest
McTominay was candid about the mental toll. “After the World Cup, it was probably the most disappointed I’ve ever been in my career,” he said. “I needed time to settle down and have a break. I’m always one for a glass half full, but that one took a good couple of weeks to get out of my system.”
He was clear that the heart issue was no excuse for Scotland’s group-stage exit. “It’s nowhere near an excuse, but it’s something that you have to look back on and say, ‘Well, it’s part of the process’,” he said. The PA news agency’s account records the same quotes from the Hampden press conference, including his reflection that two or three weeks passed before he felt right again.
Back in the Squad for North Macedonia and Switzerland
The September surgery cost McTominay his place in new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli’s first camp, and he missed the opening four Nations League fixtures. Pocognoli’s side managed one win from those four games, and McTominay’s return now gives the manager his midfield anchor back for the final two group games.
He has featured in all nine of his club’s matches since the last international break, and Sky Sports notes he has scored five goals since returning to action with Napoli. Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain is among the goalkeepers named in the same Scotland squad, fresh from his 10-save display in Falkirk’s 2-0 win over Celtic.
“I’m good. I’m feeling much, much better than what I was,” McTominay said. “I’m just really happy to be back playing football again. That’s the most important thing in my life and it always will be.”
What the Revelation Means for Scotland’s Nations League Run-In
Scotland host North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday 13 November 2026, with kick-off at 7.45pm, before travelling to Switzerland on Monday 16 November 2026 for the final group game at the same time. McTominay’s availability strengthens a midfield that has lacked his drive during the opening four fixtures.
The wider lesson reaches beyond one squad. A player can pass every fitness test, prepare for months and still face a medical surprise days before the biggest tournament of his career. McTominay played through it, sought the corrective procedure when the season allowed, and has returned to full action with club and country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What heart treatment did Scott McTominay have before the World Cup?
He had his heart “shocked” — a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat — two days before Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti in June 2026. He was put to sleep for it and then cleared to play.
What is a cardiac ablation?
It is a minimally invasive procedure designed to correct irregular heart rhythms. McTominay underwent one in Manchester in September 2026 to treat a mild, benign heart arrhythmia.
Did McTominay play at the World Cup after the treatment?
Yes. He played all three of Scotland’s group matches: the 1-0 win over Haiti and the defeats to Morocco and Brazil, as Scotland exited at the group stage.
Why did Scotland say he had a stomach complaint?
At the time, the Scotland camp said McTominay had missed training in the lead-up to the World Cup due to a stomach complaint, keeping the heart issue private until he spoke about it on 10 November 2026.
When does McTominay play next for Scotland?
Scotland host North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday 13 November 2026 at 7.45pm, then visit Switzerland on Monday 16 November 2026 at 7.45pm in the Nations League.
Myth-busting: did the heart issue end McTominay’s career?
No. He had corrective surgery in September 2026, returned to action with Napoli, has featured in all nine of his club’s matches since the last international break, and has been recalled to the Scotland squad.
