Scott McTominay experienced a plane incident in Italy

Scott McTominay, the Scottish star, recently faced a terrifying experience on a flight to Milan for the Serie A Player of the Year accolade, amid concerns about the playing conditions for his national team at the 2026 World Cup.

After an outstanding season with Napoli, where he scored 12 goals and played a key role in helping the southern Italian club secure their second Scudetto in two years, Scott McTominay continued to demonstrate excellent form with a stunning overhead kick against Denmark, securing Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup after a 28-year absence. This achievement earned him numerous individual honors, most notably the award for the best player in Serie A.

However, McTominay’s journey to Milan for the award ceremony was far from smooth. According to Italian media, the plane carrying him and coach Antonio Conte had to circle over Milan for several minutes due to a cockpit warning indicating a problem with the landing gear, which could not retract. After assessing the situation, the crew decided on an emergency landing to ensure safety. Fortunately, the landing went smoothly despite passengers experiencing a few tense moments.

A passenger on the flight shared that the captain’s announcement about the issue caused worry among many, but ultimately it was just a brief moment of tension before everything was resolved safely.

While McTominay celebrated his award, the Scotland team received a significant warning ahead of the 2026 World Cup. According to former Mexico national team fitness coach Daniel Ipata, Scotland could face major challenges playing in Mexico City. The city’s altitude, over 2,000 meters above sea level, has a notable impact on breathing and physical performance for teams coming from lower altitude climates.

If Scotland is placed in Group A, they might have to play the opening match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, one of the highest altitude stadiums in the world. There is also a chance they will play in Mexico City if placed in Group K.

With form on the rise but facing harsh geographical challenges, Scotland will need thorough preparation if they want to cause an upset in this unique World Cup.

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