Scotland's men's national football team is set to make a much-anticipated return to the World Cup stage, marking their first appearance in 28 years. The draw for the 2026 tournament has placed Steve Clarke's side in Group C, a pool that evokes a sense of nostalgia for the Tartan Army as they will once again face Brazil and Morocco, two nations they encountered in the 1998 World Cup group stage. Completing Group C are Haiti, who will be participating in only their second World Cup, and their first since 1974.
The expanded tournament format means Group C is unique, featuring two nations currently ranked in the world's top ten: Brazil, the record five-time champions, and Morocco, who impressed as semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup. This makes for a challenging group, with Scotland's opening fixture against Haiti on 14th June at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough widely seen as a pivotal encounter. A positive result in this match could be instrumental in Scotland's ambition to become the first national team to progress beyond the group stage of a major international tournament.
Brazil enters the tournament under the unprecedented leadership of their first-ever foreign manager, Carlo Ancelotti. The highly decorated Italian coach, a five-time Champions League winner, faces the immense pressure of ending Brazil's 24-year World Cup drought, their longest since their inaugural triumph in 1958. Ancelotti's squad selection has already generated significant discussion, particularly the surprise recall of 34-year-old Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, who has not featured for the national team since October 2023 following struggles with form and fitness. This decision highlights a broader question about the squad's balance between established stars and emerging talent.
The fixtures for Group C are spread across various US venues. Following Scotland's opener against Haiti, they will face Morocco on 19th June, also in Foxborough. The group stage concludes for Scotland with a formidable clash against Brazil on 24th June at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. All matches will be played late at night or in the early hours of the morning for UK viewers, with the Haiti game kicking off at 2 am BST.
Brazil's squad boasts a mix of experienced Premier League talent, including Alisson (Liverpool), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal). Vinicius Jr, the Real Madrid winger, is widely considered Brazil's star player, having thrived under Ancelotti at club level. The inclusion of 19-year-old Rayan from Bournemouth as a breakout talent suggests a blend of established quality and youthful promise, though the controversial return of Neymar adds an unpredictable element to their campaign.