Robertson to carry Jota’s dream as Scotland enter World Cup
Andrew Robertson says he is playing for both himself and Diogo Jota as the national team prepares for their first tournament appearance in 28 years.
Scotland captain Andrew Robertson has committed to carrying the memory of his late Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a poignant message from the Portuguese footballer’s widow. Rute Cardoso, mother to Jota’s three children, wrote to Robertson urging him to take Jota’s unfulfilled dream of the tournament with him as Scotland prepares for their Group C fixtures.
Jota, who died in a car crash in July 2025 at the age of 28, was a close friend and teammate of Robertson at Liverpool from 2020 to 2025. Although Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal, he never appeared at a World Cup, having missed the 2022 edition due to injury. His death occurred after he had helped secure his country’s qualification for the 2026 tournament in Brazil, Haiti, and Morocco.
Cardoso highlighted the shared ambition between the two players in a letter published by FIFA. She noted that Jota often spoke of the friendship they built, the battles fought on the pitch, and their mutual conversations about football and dreams. She told Robertson that by securing Scotland’s place in the tournament, he was not going alone but was taking Jota’s dream with him.
Robertson, who recently transferred to Tottenham Hotspur after leaving Liverpool, publicly read the letter in a video filmed by FIFA. He expressed that he could not get Jota out of his head since Scotland secured qualification in November. Robertson stated that he would carry Jota in his heart for every game, from the first to the third, and hopefully beyond, acknowledging that the memories would bring both laughter and tears.
The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July. Scotland, making their first appearance since 1998, face Haiti on Sunday, followed by matches against Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June. Robertson confirmed that he is playing for both himself and Jota, stating that the late footballer would be right at the front of his mind throughout the tournament.
