Wright questions Scottish football’s direction after World Cup struggles
8 reported
Former England striker Ian Wright has suggested that Scottish football is being let down on a large scale, pointing to undervalued broadcasting deals and unfulfilled potential as key issues. Wright made his comments as Scotland’s World Cup hopes hang by a thread after picking up three points from three group matches. He compared Scotland to Norway, a country with a similar population of about five million, noting that Norway’s current team is heading to the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup while Scotland faces an early exit. Wright highlighted that Norwegian clubs attract average domestic crowds of between 6,000 and 7,000 per week, while Scottish clubs draw around 16,000, a figure heavily inflated by Celtic and Rangers. He also stated that Norway has secured a broadcast deal worth £25 million more per year than Scotland. The SPFL’s current broadcast deal, agreed in 2022, runs from 2024 to 2029 and is worth £150 million, with Premiership clubs earning about £30 million per season. Norwegian media report that Norway’s domestic rights package is currently worth more than £50 million per season, set to rise to over £60 million from 2029.
What’s reported
Ian Wright called for a "bolder, braver vision" and said "somebody is letting down Scotland on a massive scale."
Scotland has three points from three group matches at the 2026 World Cup and is increasingly likely to exit early.
Norway, with a similar population to Scotland's five million, is heading to the World Cup knockout phase for the third time.
Norwegian top-flight clubs average 6,000-7,000 weekly attendance; Scottish Premiership clubs average about 16,000, inflated by Celtic and Rangers.
Wright said Norway's broadcast deal is worth £25 million more per year than Scotland's.
The SPFL's current broadcast deal is worth £150 million, running 2024-2029, with Premiership clubs earning about £30 million per season.
Norwegian media report Norway's domestic rights package is worth over £50 million per season, rising to over £60 million from 2029.
A UEFA report from September 2025 showed Scotland had the highest top-flight attendances per capita in Europe for the third consecutive year.
Key figures
Ian Wright, former England striker and former Celtic forward
Steve Clarke, Scotland manager
Erling Haaland, Manchester City striker
Martin Odegaard, Arsenal playmaker
Sources: BBC News
