Scotland’s road to the World Cup 2026 has been confirmed. With familiar foes and new faces, Scotland’s chance of qualifying is without a doubt possible for Steve Clarke’s side.
Scotland’s form under the management of Steve Clarke has been, overall positive taking his side to two consecutive European championships the first major tournament Scotland has been at since the world cup in 1998. Scotland in the recent nations league campaign has been shaky despite picking up form and turning a new page which helped the team achieve a relegation play-off with Greece.
Throughout 2025 Greece will become familiar faces at Hampden with Scotland scheduled to face them in the relegation play-off and in the World Cup qualifiers. Up until this point Scotland have only played Greece twice Winning one and losing one both 1-0 respectively. Under Steve Clarke, Scotland have tended to play worse the first time they face an opponent and better the second time. With that in mind Steve Clarke will be hoping to use the play-off against Greece to learn as much against his opponent as possible before facing them in October. He’ll also want to build up confidence within the team and the Tartan Army by beating them in the relegation play-off in March.
Steve Clarke’s side have not recently challenged Belarus but are hoping to succeed against the Belarussian side. Scotland have played Belarus four times in the past with the last game in 2005 which resulted in a 1-0 loss at Hampden. Scotland have also won two and drawn one against them, Steve Clarke will be hoping to take victory against the opposition in the first game against the side in September, in a behind closed doors game on neutral ground due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Steve Clarke will be expecting six points against the weaker opposition with them 98th and Scotland ranked 45th.
Scotland’s final opponent hasn’t been decided with it being the loser of either Denmark or Portugal in the Nations League quarter final joining us in group C. Scotland have faced the Danes a total of eighteen, winning eleven and losing seven. With Scotland winning their last game against them in 2021 2-0. Scotland have played their other potential opponents in Portugal a total of seventeen times winning only four, drawing four and losing nine. Drawing their last game 0-0 at Hampden. The Scots will be hoping for Denmark to lose and be drawn in their group due to their positive record against the Danish side. Steve Clarke will be looking at either side as their main competition as they’re both ranked higher than Scotland with Portugal ranked 6th and Denmark ranked 21st in the FIFA World Rankings.
Steve Clarke’s side will face tough opponents and challenges along the way to qualify for the 2026 Men’s World Cup. Although originally seen as a boring group due to the fact Scotland has faced the opponents in recent times however this will benefit Steve Clarke as his chances are always favoured the second time round, he faces an opponent. Clarke usually takes time to figure out his opponent which usually results in them winning the first fixture, hopefully this won’t be the case due to his recent matches against them. And Scotland qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
