Harvey Barnes isn’t rushing into any big national-team decisions, but he’s also not shutting the door.
The Newcastle United winger, who once wore England’s shirt in a fleeting 14-minute cameo back in 2020, has acknowledged that Scotland remains a possibility — even if it’s not something he’s actively pursuing right now.
Thanks to his Scottish grandparents and FIFA’s eligibility rules, the option remains wide open.
England Caps, Scottish Roots, and an Unfinished Story
Barnes grew up firmly within England’s youth setup, appearing regularly as he climbed through the age groups.
But after breaking into the senior team only once — that friendly against Wales five years ago — his path into Gareth Southgate’s plans has been anything but straightforward.
Scotland, meanwhile, has hovered in the background.
The idea of swapping Wembley’s white shirts for Hampden’s navy has surfaced several times over the years, though nothing ever came of it.
Even Scotland boss Steve Clarke once hinted that conversations had fizzled out, admitting back in 2023 that he hadn’t heard from Barnes in quite some time.
Scotland’s World Cup Ticket Changes the Mood
With Scotland dramatically securing their spot at next summer’s World Cup on Tuesday, the topic naturally resurfaced.
Asked about the possibility of switching sides, Barnes kept things balanced: it’s not something he’s been dwelling on, but he isn’t ruling it out either.
He told Sky Sports that the eligibility rules still apply, and because of that, he can’t say the idea is completely dead.
Still, he stressed that there have been “no real chats” and no movement behind the scenes toward making anything official.
Not the First to Make the Leap
If Barnes eventually leans toward Scotland, he wouldn’t be breaking new ground.
Sandy MacIver, the former Everton and Manchester City goalkeeper currently playing for Washington Spirit, made a similar move.
She represented England in a friendly back in 2021 but later opted for Scotland thanks to her mother’s heritage.
Barnes was first mentioned as a candidate for such a switch around the time Elliot Anderson was weighing his own international future.
Why Scotland Might Be Tempted
Next summer’s tournament in America, Mexico, and Canada will test Scotland’s depth, particularly on the wings.
Injuries and limited options have made creative wide players a priority for Clarke.
Ben Gannon-Doak has shone for Bournemouth — including setting up Scott McTominay’s outrageous overhead goal against Denmark — but his injury during that same match highlighted the fragility of Scotland’s wide areas.
Barnes, with four goals and two assists for Newcastle this season and consistently strong performances since joining from Leicester in 2023, could be exactly the kind of reinforcement Scotland would welcome.
So, What Comes Next?
Right now? Nothing dramatic. No secret meetings, no behind-the-scenes negotiations, no big decision brewing in the background.
Barnes is focusing on his club football, and Scotland — fresh off a historic qualification — isn’t pushing the issue either.
But the door is cracked open. And with a World Cup on the horizon, even a quiet possibility has a way of becoming a headline before long.
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