Celtic’s Alistair Johnston becomes first SPFL player in 2026 World Cup

Alistair Johnston has etched his name into Scottish football history. The Celtic right-back became the first player from the SPFL Premiership to feature in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, completing the full 90 minutes in Canada’s opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12.

Johnston’s inclusion in Canada’s 26-man squad was confirmed back in May, but the real statement came when he was named in the starting lineup for the opener. He played every minute, picking up a yellow card in the 10th minute and grinding through the remaining 80 minutes without a second booking.

Here’s the thing about Johnston’s World Cup career: this isn’t new territory for him. The 27-year-old featured in all three of Canada’s group stage matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. That tournament was Canada’s first World Cup appearance in 36 years, and Johnston was a fixture in the side throughout.

Born on October 8, 1998, Johnston came through the Canadian youth system and made his professional mark with CF Montreal before Celtic came calling. He joined the Glasgow club in early 2023.

What this means for the SPFL’s global profile

The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico and is the expanded 48-team edition of the tournament. Having an SPFL representative in the opening wave of group stage fixtures puts the league in the global conversation from day one.

Johnston’s booking in the 10th minute of the opener is worth monitoring. Yellow card accumulation in the World Cup group stage can lead to suspensions, and a second booking in the next match would mean missing the final group game.

The fact that he played all three matches in Qatar and is now starting again in 2026 tells you something about his durability and his standing within the national team setup.

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