Steve Clarke’s men are guaranteed to finish third but will they be in the top eight of third-placed teams?
10:55, 22 Jun 2026Updated 11:39, 22 Jun 2026
Brazil – Scotland World Cup opponent in focus
It’s never simple when it comes to supporting Scotland.
But even by our standards, qualifying out of the group stage at this World Cup could be more convoluted than ever.
Unless, of course, Steve Clarke’s men defy their 7/1 odds and beat the mighty Brazil in Miami in their final Group C encounter.
That would ensure a top two finish and guarantee a place in the last-32. But history shows it’s never that simple. If there’s a hard way, Scotland will find away. And it usually ends in heartbreak.
But if they miss out this time then it would be even more agonising than ever.
The eight best third placed teams from the 12 groups will join the winners and runners-up in each section.
That means Scotland, if they finish third, just needs four teams to have been worse off than them.
Victory in their opening game against Haiti has put them in a decent position. A draw against Brazil would leave them on four points and almost certain of a place in the knockout stage.
But even defeat against Carlo Ancelotti’s men shouldn’t matter in terms of qualifying.
Brazil’s Italian head coach Carlo Ancelotti (C) addresses his players (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Here, Record Sport picks out five results that would ensure four groups would leave the third placed team with less than Scotland’s three points. But the Tartan Army might need to wait until the final round of group games are completed – now that could be agonising!
Mexico to beat Czech Republic and South Korea to beat South Africa (Group A)
Co-hosts Mexico are already confirmed as winners of their group and there is a good chance Scotland could face them in Mexico City next Wednesday (July 1) in the last-32. That would be a daunting prospect but a chance for the Tartan Army to experience the iconic Azteca Stadium. We just need to hope Javier Aguirre’s men don’t rest up as a win for El Tricolor and victory for South Korea against South Africa in the other game would mean the third place team would finish on just ONE POINT.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar to draw (Group B)
If the above scenario happens in Group A and then these two sides draw, which would leave them both on two points with one of them guaranteed to be in third position, then Scotland would be halfway to ensure qualification. And this game takes place in Seattle 24 hours before Scotland take on Brazil so it would be handy knowing they’re almost there before taking to the field in Miami.
Egypt to beat Iran (Group G)
Mo Salah burst into life at this World Cup as he inspired the Africans to a come-from-behind victory against New Zealand.
Mo Salah of Egypt
And hopefully he can repeat that kind of performance when they face Iran, who have made a solid start with a couple of draws despite a myriad of problems coming into the tournament due to their conflict with co-hosts USA, as victory for The Pharaohs in Seattle would ensure the third placed team finishes with less than three points.
Spain to beat Uruguay (Group H)
After a stuttering opening game when they were held to a shock draw by minnows Cape Verde, Spain looked like their old selves in a 4-0 romp against Saudi Arabia in their second group game. Lamine Yamal was the star of the show in Atlanta and Scotland will be hoping the Barcelona wonderkid is on top form again in the final group game. Uruguay have been disappointing with two draws in their opening two games and if they lose to Spain, the third-placed team in Group H will be out of the running. But this game takes place on Saturday in Guadalajara Stadium, so it could mean a long and nervy wait for the Tartan Army.