Chelsea Cornet scored her first international goal against Israel in 2024
Scotland sit top of Group B4 ahead of Belgium on goal difference
Melissa Andreatta's side face Israel in double header in Budapest
Chelsea Cornett will turn out against England's elite next season when she takes to the field with Birmingham City after the West Midlands club earned promotion back to the Women's Super League.
The Scotland midfielder achieved her top-flight dream in her first season after leaving Scottish Women's Premier League side Rangers last summer. But there's one other childhood fairytale the 28-year-old Edinburgh native is fiercely focused on for the moment — representing her country in the FIFA Women’s World Cup™.
The road to continues for Scotland on Friday when they travel to Hungary to take on Israel in the Bozsik Arena in Budapest. The return match will take place at the same venue four days later.
Both games in the double-header will be played behind closed doors, but the six-time capped Scot is adamant the team will be going all out for six points in their bid to top the group.
"We know what's required to get maximum points," she told FIFA in an exclusive interview. "We've built on great performances, and we're looking to do the same this week. We're feeling confident because we're carrying momentum into this camp. We're looking to do all we can to get the results.
"We've faced a similar thing in the past, so we know how to deal with those feelings and focus on us. We'll treat the game no differently to any other, and we'll be going out to get maximum points with or without fans. We know how important these games are.
"We want six points to top the group and get back into Nations League A. That is our goal, and it won't be easy, but we can only control what we can control."
Scotland currently sit top of Group B4 on goal difference ahead of Belgium after drawing twice with the Red Flames, as well as two victories over bottom of the table Luxembourg.
To qualify for the tournament Scotland must firstly finish first, second or third in the group, avoiding bottom spot, to progress to round one of the play-offs. If the Scots top the group they will face a nation who finished as runners-up or third from another League B section.
If Melissa Andreatta's side finish second or third, they will face a team who finished fourth in a League A group, or a Group B winner. If they negotiate the first round, the second round begins in November, it is seeded and Scotland would likely face League A opposition.
The lowest-ranked of the eight European teams who come through the play-offs will go into inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.
Cornet, who made her debut for the national team as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Australia in 2023, scored her only international goal so far against Israel in 2024. It was the fifth strike in a comprehensive 5-0 win as Scotland tried and failed to qualify for UEFA Women's EURO 2025 under Pedro Martinez Losa.
However, she has full belief the squad can come out on top again but warns there will be no complacency among the Scots as they build towards their World Cup dream.
"I remember it being quite a competitive game," said the former Hibernian midfielder. "We were really prepared for it and focused. Looking back, we just want to do the same things and control what we can control on the pitch.
"As a little girl, that's what you dreamt of doing; playing for your country in a World Cup. To get there would be everything. It's like a fairytale, isn't it?
"A World Cup would be amazing for the next generation. It would show them that it is possible. It would be massive for girls coming through, or even just for girls who want to get into football."
Scotland's male counterparts are currently getting set to kick off their own World Cup adventure after qualifying for the biggest stage on earth for the first time in 28 years.
Cornet insists the feat achieved under Steve Clarke's watch to secure qualification for the is an inspiration for their female compatriots.
She said: "It's so exciting what the men's team have done. It is unbelievable, and it just shows that it is achievable. They have had their journey and our journey won't be easy either, but it shows it is possible. The more we believe that, the more we can do it."
Scotland Women have graced football's biggest stage just once, at France 2019, where Shelley Kerr's side were grouped with rivals England, 2015 finalists Japan and Argentina.
Despite falling to a 2-1 defeat to England, the match did mark the scoring of Scotland's maiden World Cup goal when Claire Emslie halved the Lionesses' 2-0 lead in the opening game of the finals.
The striker, who now plies her trade with National Women's Soccer League side Angel City FC, has been recalled to the squad for the qualifying double header against Israel, five months after giving birth to her son.
Cornet is full of praise for her team-mate for showing grit and determination to return to top level football just months after birthing her first child.
She said: "It's been amazing to have her back in the camp. Full credit to Claire, she is a role model in herself with the ability she has shown to get back. You could see the determination, but she's always been that type of person. Becoming a mum was never going to be a setback, it has added to her."
Sources: FIFA Official
