New York [US], June 9 (ANI): Scotland captain Andy Robertson has said he will be playing for his late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota at the FIFA World Cup 2026, after receiving a heartfelt letter from the Portuguese forward's widow, Rute Cardoso, ahead of the tournament.

Robertson had earlier shared that his first thoughts went to Jota after Scotland secured World Cup qualification in November, according to Reuters.

On Monday, Robertson also shared a heartfelt message from Rute Cardoso as part of FIFA's 'Letters That Unite' initiative.

'Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams,' the letter read, as quoted by Reuters.

'The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch. By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone; you'll be taking his dream with you too,' he added.

'I'm not only just playing for me, I'm playing for both of us,' he said.

Last year in July, Diogo Jota died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28. At the time of the accident, Jota was travelling with his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the tragic accident.

Scotland will open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Haiti on June 13 in Group C before facing Morocco and Brazil.

Scotland's World Cup 2026 Squad:

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly.

Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney.

Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis, Lewis Ferguson, Tyler Fletcher, Ben Gannon-Doak, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay.

Forwards: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart. (ANI)