However, Steve Clarke’s side have qualified for the finals again, and are set for group stage meetings with Haiti, Morocco, and a reunion with Brazil.
Stewart, 29, last represented his country in June 2022, while he was a Sunderland player, before his big injuries – but a recall is within his sights.
The striker has two goals and two assists in his last seven Championship appearances, and he is making a difference for Saints week in, week out.
“I think to go to the World Cup and represent your country, every player that’s playing to represent Scotland would be eyeing a spot,” said Stewart.
“I would be lying if I said it’s not. I’m no different. But what I can say just around that is it’s kind of in the back of my mind, at the moment.
“I just kind of try to focus game by game and just get a spell of playing continual football and try to make positive impacts in games.
“If I do that, it gives me half a chance of going. But as I said, it’s been a few years since I represented my country, and I loved it.
“I would love to do it again, make no secret of that. If I can get myself on that plane, it’d be great. But it’s a few months away yet,” he added.
“I want to try and do all I can for Southampton. I know we are pushing for promotion this season and that starts on Saturday against Charlton.”
Stewart has received two Scotland caps, but both were as a substitute in the Nations League, against Armenia and the Republic of Ireland.
Former Saints striker Che Adams will lead the line for Clarke’s side, while the likes of Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Lawrence Shankland will compete.
Discussion about this post