The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered a blockbuster and challenging group for Scotland, setting up a nostalgic clash with Brazil and a formidable encounter with Morocco. The Tartan Army will be transported back to the 1998 tournament in France, where they famously faced the South American giants in the opening match.
A Familiar Foe and a North African Test
Steve Clarke's side, having successfully navigated a qualifying campaign that concluded last month, discovered their fate in the group stage draw held on Friday. Scotland will face five-time world champions Brazil in a highly anticipated match that revives memories of their meeting 28 years ago. The second confirmed opponent is Morocco, the African powerhouse that reached the semi-finals in the 2022 tournament held in Qatar. The final spot in Group 10 will be filled by the winner of an intercontinental playoff, scheduled for March 2026.
The draw mechanics placed Scotland in Pot 3, while Brazil resided in the elite Pot 1 as one of the highest-ranked sides. Morocco's strong recent performances earned them a place in Pot 2, making this a particularly demanding trio for the Scots. The group stage matches will be played across various host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during June and July 2026.
Echoes of France 1998 and the Road Ahead
The immediate historical parallel to the 1998 World Cup is striking. In that tournament, also hosted across multiple nations, Scotland opened their campaign against Brazil in Paris, eventually losing 2-1 after a John Collins penalty had briefly leveled the score. The squad then drew with Norway before a heartbreaking 3-0 loss to Morocco sent them home. This new draw offers a chance for redemption against both nations a generation later.
Manager Steve Clarke acknowledged the scale of the task but emphasised the opportunity. "It's a fantastic draw for the players and the supporters," he was quoted as saying. "To test ourselves against the very best is why we work so hard to qualify. Brazil are Brazil, one of the greatest football nations, and Morocco have been outstanding. It's a huge challenge but one we will embrace." The Scottish FA is expected to begin planning for base camps and fan zones in the relevant host locations shortly.
The intercontinental playoff winner, which could be a nation from Asia, Oceania, or CONCACAF, will complete the group. This adds a final element of uncertainty, but the focus will firmly be on the glamour tie with Brazil and the tactical battle with Morocco's well-organised side. For Scotland fans, the dream of progressing to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in history now has a clear, albeit difficult, path.
