Harvey Barnes brought back a topic that felt buried. In an interview with Sky Sports, the Newcastle winger said the idea of playing for Scotland “is not something that’s been in my head,” but made it clear that “no, it’s not ruled out.” Those comments, made just days after Scotland secured its spot at next summer’s World Cup, shifted the mood around him and created a situation England can’t brush aside anymore. Barnes, who logged only 14 minutes for the England senior team in a 2020 friendly, is once again a real possibility for Steve Clarke’s squad.
Why the subject returned to Barnes’s radar
Barnes came up through England’s youth system, earned call-ups across multiple age groups and looked like a natural fit for the senior team. That path didn’t unfold. Since his lone appearance for England, competition on the wings has grown, younger names have emerged and the 27-year-old has slipped down the pecking order. Earning minutes is tough and, right now, there’s nothing to suggest he’s viewed as an immediate option. That’s why his Sky Sports interview matters.
By saying “there haven’t been any concrete conversations or any sort of progress with that,” Barnes made it clear nothing formal has happened, but he didn’t shut the door. For a player chasing relevance and a real chance to reach a World Cup, that kind of openness carries weight.
Scotland is watching the situation with interest
Scotland has booked its place at the World Cup and is now looking at its squad with added focus. One of the team’s needs, as noted in the information you provided, is depth on the wings. Barnes fits that gap. He qualifies through family heritage and is fully eligible under FIFA rules, since his only appearance for England came in a friendly. Steve Clarke had spoken with him in the past, but said in 2023 that the next call wouldn’t come from him, suggesting the choice had to start with Barnes.
He didn’t say he’s switching national teams, but he made it clear the idea no longer feels distant. And when a player talks like that, it means the decision is alive. If Scotland chooses to move forward and he feels the timing makes sense, the World Cup could become the turning point he’s been waiting for.