Performance in the European Championship determines qualification for football at the Summer Olympics, which Scotland is unable to compete in.

[5] Scotland under-21s have reached the last four of the European tournament three times (1982, 1992 and 1996), while appearing in the quarter-finals on three other occasions (1980, 1984 and 1988).

Archie Knox left his post as Scotland's National Youth Teams Coach on 30 August 2007 to take up a full-time with Bolton Wanderers as coaching co-ordinator, Maurice Malpas took temporary charge.

In January 2008 the SFA appointed a new full-time coach in Billy Stark, who left his job as manager of Second Division side Queen's Park to take the position.

As each tournament normally takes two years to complete, players can continue to play for the under-21 team after their 22nd birthday.

The following players were selected for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Belgium and Kazakhstan in October 2024.

The following players have also been called up to the Scotland under-21 squad and remain eligible (current clubs shown).