Plotting England and Scotland’s routes through the World Cup

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  • 40 Comments

It took a while, but the World Cup draw is finally done. Fans of England and Scotland can start trying to work out their path to glory. And we can help.

It is deja vu for Scotland, drawn against Brazil and Morocco who they lost to the last time they made it to the World Cup in 1998. If the Scots are going to get out of the group, their biggest game is going to come very early.

England’s group is not one to set the pulses racing, but perhaps it will give coach Thomas Tuchel the chance to grow his squad into the tournament.

Group stage – England

Getty Images

England’s toughest test, on paper at least, should be their first match against Croatia in Arlington, just outside Dallas, or Toronto.

Croatia beat England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup but they have met three times since with England unbeaten, winning two and drawing one. Most recently Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of a group stage meeting at Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Tuchel will hope a positive result sets them up to top the group.

Ghana are far from the force they once were. They were ranked 14th in the world in 2008 but have now slipped to 72nd and failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations which starts later this month.

England finish up against Panama, who they also played in 2018, thrashing them 6-1 in the group stage. Panama were runners-up in the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2023 but it would be huge shock if they picked something up here.

Tuchel will be aided by England being one of the last teams to start, nearly a week after Mexico face South Africa in the tournament opener. It gives the boss extra time to fit in the two friendlies he wants between the end of the domestic season and the Three Lions’ opening game.

Group stage – Scotland

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Scotland start their World Cup campaign earlier in Group C and with a fixture that looks potentially important to their hopes of making the knockout rounds.

With Brazil and Morocco also in the group, Scotland and Haiti simply have to go all out to win when they meet in Foxborough, just outside Boston, or East Rutherford, next door to New York City, on 13 June.

If Steve Clarke’s men draw or lose to Haiti, they would then need to produce an almighty effort against two teams inside the top 11 of the Fifa world ranking.

Haiti have only made the World Cup once before in 1974, losing all three games and conceding 14 goals. They failed to get out of the group stage at the last three Concacaf Gold Cups, so reaching these finals is a huge achievement.

If Scotland can claim the ascendancy and score early, they will surely keep looking for further goals.

Eight of the 12 third-placed teams will go through to the round of 32. Three points will almost certainly be enough for some teams, but goal difference might be the difference.

Knockout stage – last 32

If England get off to a great start against Croatia and go on to win their group, they would play a third-placed team in the first knockout stage, either in East Rutherford or Philadelphia.

However, the most complicated World Cup ever becomes even more confusing when trying to work out their opponents.

There are 495 different combinations of how groups could provide the eight advancing third-placed teams. We will not go through them all.

Only five groups could provide England’s opponents though: E, H, I, J or K. So, any one of 20 teams right now.

If we were to take a stab, that would probably involve Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Senegal, Norway, Austria, Algeria, Uzbekistan or the winner of the DR Congo play-off path.

It should present a winnable tie for England, though no-one wants to meet Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Finish second in the group? England would move into the other half of the bracket and fly to Toronto to take on the runners-up of Group K, and the odds are that would be Colombia.

If Scotland shock the world and win Group C, they would face the runners-up of Group F, Japan or Tunisia maybe, in Houston. If they were second they would jet off to Mexico to play the winners of the same group, the favourites being Portugal, in Guadalupe.

Finishing third and advancing would mean Scotland playing the winners of groups A, E or I – decided by which groups provide the third-placed teams.

    • 4 hours ago
    • 2 hours ago
    • 16 hours ago

Last 16

Now the World Cup is really starting to get going.

England’s route might have been easing past one of the third-placed teams in the last 32, but it is about to get a whole lot more difficult.

England would have to go to Mexico City and feeding into that tie are the winners of Group A. And that would probably be Mexico.

Tuchel could be preparing to take his England side into a raucous atmosphere created by the supporters of the co-hosts.

Meeting one of the co-hosts on their own turf is far from ideal, though if England finished second in the group they would probably face Spain at this stage.

Scotland, remember, could be on the same route to the last-16 game at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Quarter-finals

So, England have got past Mexico and they are now full of confidence. Who lies in wait in the quarter-finals when England fly back to the United States and into Miami?

There is only one other group winner feeding into this part of the bracket. That is from Group C and Brazil are the seeded nation.

Would it definitely be Brazil? The Selecao would come up against the runners-up of groups E, F and I in the same section.

Maybe Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Tunisia or, most likely, Norway could cause an upset and meet England in the last eight.

Semi-finals and final

We are now entering the realms of fantasy, as it is impossible to predict who will still be active at this stage. But we will have a go as England leave Miami bound for Atlanta.

Argentina and Portugal appear to be the standout teams in the quadrant which will provide their opponents.

In the other half, Scotland head to Arlington with Spain clearly the top-ranked team. Belgium and United States are in the same quarter as Spain.

Then it’s off to East Rutherford for the final on July 19.

Related topics

  • Football
  • England Men’s Football Team
  • FIFA World Cup
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team

Plotting England and Scotland’s routes through the World Cup

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 40 Comments

It took a while, but the World Cup draw is finally done. Fans of England and Scotland can start trying to work out their path to glory. And we can help.

It is deja vu for Scotland, drawn against Brazil and Morocco who they lost to the last time they made it to the World Cup in 1998. If the Scots are going to get out of the group, their biggest game is going to come very early.

England’s group is not one to set the pulses racing, but perhaps it will give coach Thomas Tuchel the chance to grow his squad into the tournament.

Group stage – England

Getty Images

England’s toughest test, on paper at least, should be their first match against Croatia in Arlington, just outside Dallas, or Toronto.

Croatia beat England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup but they have met three times since with England unbeaten, winning two and drawing one. Most recently Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of a group stage meeting at Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Tuchel will hope a positive result sets them up to top the group.

Ghana are far from the force they once were. They were ranked 14th in the world in 2008 but have now slipped to 72nd and failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations which starts later this month.

England finish up against Panama, who they also played in 2018, thrashing them 6-1 in the group stage. Panama were runners-up in the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2023 but it would be huge shock if they picked something up here.

Tuchel will be aided by England being one of the last teams to start, nearly a week after Mexico face South Africa in the tournament opener. It gives the boss extra time to fit in the two friendlies he wants between the end of the domestic season and the Three Lions’ opening game.

Group stage – Scotland

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Scotland start their World Cup campaign earlier in Group C and with a fixture that looks potentially important to their hopes of making the knockout rounds.

With Brazil and Morocco also in the group, Scotland and Haiti simply have to go all out to win when they meet in Foxborough, just outside Boston, or East Rutherford, next door to New York City, on 13 June.

If Steve Clarke’s men draw or lose to Haiti, they would then need to produce an almighty effort against two teams inside the top 11 of the Fifa world ranking.

Haiti have only made the World Cup once before in 1974, losing all three games and conceding 14 goals. They failed to get out of the group stage at the last three Concacaf Gold Cups, so reaching these finals is a huge achievement.

If Scotland can claim the ascendancy and score early, they will surely keep looking for further goals.

Eight of the 12 third-placed teams will go through to the round of 32. Three points will almost certainly be enough for some teams, but goal difference might be the difference.

Knockout stage – last 32

If England get off to a great start against Croatia and go on to win their group, they would play a third-placed team in the first knockout stage, either in East Rutherford or Philadelphia.

However, the most complicated World Cup ever becomes even more confusing when trying to work out their opponents.

There are 495 different combinations of how groups could provide the eight advancing third-placed teams. We will not go through them all.

Only five groups could provide England’s opponents though: E, H, I, J or K. So, any one of 20 teams right now.

If we were to take a stab, that would probably involve Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Senegal, Norway, Austria, Algeria, Uzbekistan or the winner of the DR Congo play-off path.

It should present a winnable tie for England, though no-one wants to meet Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Finish second in the group? England would move into the other half of the bracket and fly to Toronto to take on the runners-up of Group K, and the odds are that would be Colombia.

If Scotland shock the world and win Group C, they would face the runners-up of Group F, Japan or Tunisia maybe, in Houston. If they were second they would jet off to Mexico to play the winners of the same group, the favourites being Portugal, in Guadalupe.

Finishing third and advancing would mean Scotland playing the winners of groups A, E or I – decided by which groups provide the third-placed teams.

    • 4 hours ago
    • 2 hours ago
    • 16 hours ago

Last 16

Now the World Cup is really starting to get going.

England’s route might have been easing past one of the third-placed teams in the last 32, but it is about to get a whole lot more difficult.

England would have to go to Mexico City and feeding into that tie are the winners of Group A. And that would probably be Mexico.

Tuchel could be preparing to take his England side into a raucous atmosphere created by the supporters of the co-hosts.

Meeting one of the co-hosts on their own turf is far from ideal, though if England finished second in the group they would probably face Spain at this stage.

Scotland, remember, could be on the same route to the last-16 game at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Quarter-finals

So, England have got past Mexico and they are now full of confidence. Who lies in wait in the quarter-finals when England fly back to the United States and into Miami?

There is only one other group winner feeding into this part of the bracket. That is from Group C and Brazil are the seeded nation.

Would it definitely be Brazil? The Selecao would come up against the runners-up of groups E, F and I in the same section.

Maybe Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Tunisia or, most likely, Norway could cause an upset and meet England in the last eight.

Semi-finals and final

We are now entering the realms of fantasy, as it is impossible to predict who will still be active at this stage. But we will have a go as England leave Miami bound for Atlanta.

Argentina and Portugal appear to be the standout teams in the quadrant which will provide their opponents.

In the other half, Scotland head to Arlington with Spain clearly the top-ranked team. Belgium and United States are in the same quarter as Spain.

Then it’s off to East Rutherford for the final on July 19.

Related topics

  • Football
  • England Men’s Football Team
  • FIFA World Cup
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team

Plotting England & Scotland’s routes through tournament

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

  • 642 Comments

It took a while, but the World Cup draw is finally done. Fans of England and Scotland can start trying to work out their path to glory. And we can help.

It is deja vu for Scotland, drawn against Brazil and Morocco who they lost to the last time they made it to the World Cup in 1998. If the Scots are going to get out of the group, their biggest game is going to come very early.

England’s group is not one to set the pulses racing, but perhaps it will give coach Thomas Tuchel the chance to grow his squad into the tournament.

Group stage – England

Getty Images

England’s toughest test, on paper at least, should be their first match against Croatia in Arlington, just outside Dallas, or Toronto.

Croatia beat England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup but they have met three times since with England unbeaten, winning two and drawing one. Most recently Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of a group stage meeting at Euro 2020 at Wembley.

Tuchel will hope a positive result sets them up to top the group.

Ghana are far from the force they once were. They were ranked 14th in the world in 2008 but have now slipped to 72nd and failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations which starts later this month.

England finish up against Panama, who they also played in 2018, thrashing them 6-1 in the group stage. Panama were runners-up in the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2023 but it would be huge shock if they picked something up here.

Tuchel will be aided by England being one of the last teams to start, nearly a week after Mexico face South Africa in the tournament opener. It gives the boss extra time to fit in the two friendlies he wants between the end of the domestic season and the Three Lions’ opening game.

Group stage – Scotland

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Scotland start their World Cup campaign earlier in Group C and with a fixture that looks potentially important to their hopes of making the knockout rounds.

With Brazil and Morocco also in the group, Scotland and Haiti simply have to go all out to win when they meet in Foxborough, just outside Boston, or East Rutherford, next door to New York City, on 13 June.

If Steve Clarke’s men draw or lose to Haiti, they would then need to produce an almighty effort against two teams inside the top 11 of the Fifa world ranking.

Haiti have only made the World Cup once before in 1974, losing all three games and conceding 14 goals. They failed to get out of the group stage at the last three Concacaf Gold Cups, so reaching these finals is a huge achievement.

If Scotland can claim the ascendancy and score early, they will surely keep looking for further goals.

Eight of the 12 third-placed teams will go through to the round of 32. Three points will almost certainly be enough for some teams, but goal difference might be the difference.

Knockout stage – last 32

If England get off to a great start against Croatia and go on to win their group, they would play a third-placed team in the first knockout stage, in Atlanta.

However, the most complicated World Cup ever becomes even more confusing when trying to work out their opponents.

There are 495 different combinations of how groups could provide the eight advancing third-placed teams. We will not go through them all.

Only five groups could provide England’s opponents though: E, H, I, J or K. So, any one of 20 teams right now.

If we were to take a guess, that would probably involve Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Senegal, Norway, Austria, Algeria, Uzbekistan or the winner of the DR Congo play-off path.

It should present a winnable tie for England, though no-one wants to meet Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Finish second in the group? England would move into the other half of the bracket and fly to Toronto to take on the runners-up of Group K, and the odds are that would be Colombia.

If Scotland shock the world and win Group C, they would face the runners-up of Group F, Japan or Tunisia maybe, in Houston. If they were second they would jet off to Mexico to play the winners of the same group, the favourites being the Netherlands, in Guadalupe.

Finishing third and advancing would mean Scotland playing the winners of groups A, E or I – decided by which groups provide the third-placed teams.

    • 18 hours ago
    • 16 hours ago
    • 1 day ago

Last 16

Now the World Cup is really starting to get going.

England’s route might have been easing past one of the third-placed teams in the last 32, but it is about to get a whole lot more difficult.

England would have to go to Mexico City and feeding into that tie are the winners of Group A. And that would probably be Mexico.

Tuchel could be preparing to take his England side into a raucous atmosphere created by the supporters of the co-hosts.

Meeting one of the co-hosts on their own turf is far from ideal, though if England finished second in the group they would probably face Spain at this stage.

Scotland, remember, could be on the same route to the last-16 game at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Quarter-finals

So, England have got past Mexico and they are now full of confidence. Who lies in wait in the quarter-finals when England fly back to the United States and into Miami?

There is only one other group winner feeding into this part of the bracket. That is from Group C and Brazil are the seeded nation.

Would it definitely be Brazil? The Selecao would come up against the runners-up of groups E, F and I in the same section.

Maybe Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Tunisia or, most likely, Norway could cause an upset and meet England in the last eight.

Semi-finals and final

We are now entering the realms of fantasy, as it is impossible to predict who will still be active at this stage. But we will have a go as England leave Miami bound for Atlanta.

Argentina and Portugal appear to be the standout teams in the quadrant which will provide their opponents.

In the other half, Scotland head to Arlington with Spain clearly the top-ranked team. Belgium and United States are in the same quarter as Spain.

Then it’s off to East Rutherford for the final on July 19.

Related topics

  • Football
  • England Men’s Football Team
  • FIFA World Cup
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team

Could one win get Scotland out of World Cup group?

Getty Images

After a 27-year absence from the World Cup finals, Scotland are back and know they will be taking on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in the United States next June.

It is a daunting task for Steve Clarke and his team, but the Tartan Army will already be going to bed with an American dream of progression.

Their chances will be boosted by the expanded format, where even finishing third in Group C may be enough.

The eight best third-place sides in the group stage will join the group winners and runners-up in the first knockout round.

Could one win be enough for Scotland?

There are only four third-place sides who will miss out on a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Which means getting three points, and a respectable goal difference, would go a long way to ranking in the top eight of the third-best sides.

A win and a draw – so four points – would almost certainly be enough.

Looking at the last two European Championships as a comparison, four points was enough for a third-place team to qualify.

Slovenia in 2024 and Ukraine in 2020 went through after finishing third in their respective sections with three points, edging out other teams on goal difference.

In the Euros four of the six best third-place sides go through to the last 16, in other words two third of them.

‘It’s a great draw, bring it on’

Listen on Sounds

What about Scotland’s opponents?

The best chance for a Scotland win looks most likely in the first game against Haiti.

Ranked 84th in the world, the Carribean nation qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 by beating Nicaragua last month.

Manager Sebastien Migne has been unable to set foot on Haiti since being appointed 18 months ago because a conflict in the country forces them to play their home matches 500 miles away in Curacao – an island nation just off the coast of South American country Venezuela.

Wolves’ midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is among their squad, some of whom play in Major League Soccer or European leagues.

Morocco are second seeds but are ranked 11th in the world, were semi-finalists at the last World Cup and boast the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimin and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.

They won all eight of their qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding just twice.

While Brazil stars like Vinicius Junior and Gabriel need little intorduction, nor does manager Carlo Ancelotti.

However, the five-time winners struggled in qualifying. They ended up fifth in the 10-team section in South America, losing six times, including to Bolivia.

So if Scotland can beat Haiti and either take a point or narrow defeat against the top two seeds, they stand a good chance of going through to the last 32.

Not that Clarke is taking anyone lightly.

“Haiti as the pot four team will be difficult,” he told BBC Scotland.

What are the pundits saying?

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown: “We’ve got to look to beat Haiti, it will be a huge game for us. Morocco, we’ll be underdogs from looking at the world rankings, it’s a hard game.

“Brazil is the big one. Everyone will want to be at that Scotland v Brazil game. Seeing that yellow shirt, they’ve got top quality players. As do Morocco.

“We’ve got to beat Haiti and try to pick up points somewhere else. There is hope for us.”

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: “It’s a tough draw. You’ve got the glamour tie against Brazil. Then Morocco, people will tip them to be a dark horse because they got to a semi-final last time.

“And you hate to say it, because it’s international football, but it’s a winnable tie against Haiti.

    • 4 hours ago

Where are Scotland’s games?

Scotland will open against Haiti on Saturday 13 June in Boston or New York.

They will then take on Morocco on Friday 19 June in Boston or Philadelphia, before finishing against Brazil in either Atlanta or Miami on Wednesday 24 June.

What about buying tickets?

The first batch of tickets went on sale at the start of October, with more than 4.5 million fans entering a draw for a chance to buy them.

However, some fans will be able to apply for tickets this month for Scotland’s games.

Members of the Scotland Supporters Club (SSC), made up of those who go to home and away games regularly, will be given access to apply from Monday, 15 December until the final deadline on 13 January.

These tickets will be allocated based on the Scottish FA’s loyalty points system.

It is not yet clear how many tickets will be specifically allocated to Scotland fans, given the venues are still to be confirmed.

Those who are not SSC members will have to wait for a last-minute sales phase which will take place closer to the tournament.

Related topics

  • Football
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team

Could one win get Scotland out of World Cup group?

Getty Images

After a 27-year absence from the World Cup finals, Scotland are back and know they will be taking on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in the United States next June.

It is a daunting task for Steve Clarke and his team, but the Tartan Army will already be going to bed with an American dream of progression.

Their chances will be boosted by the expanded format, where even finishing third in Group C may be enough.

The eight best third-place sides in the group stage will join the group winners and runners-up in the first knockout round.

Could one win be enough for Scotland?

There are only four third-place sides who will miss out on a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Which means getting three points, and a respectable goal difference, would go a long way to ranking in the top eight of the third-best sides.

A win and a draw – so four points – would almost certainly be enough.

Looking at the last two European Championships as a comparison, four points was enough for a third-place team to qualify.

Slovenia in 2024 and Ukraine in 2020 went through after finishing third in their respective sections with three points, edging out other teams on goal difference.

In the Euros four of the six best third-place sides go through to the last 16, in other words two third of them.

‘It’s a great draw, bring it on’

Listen on Sounds

What about Scotland’s opponents?

The best chance for a Scotland win looks most likely in the first game against Haiti.

Ranked 84th in the world, the Carribean nation qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 by beating Nicaragua last month.

Manager Sebastien Migne has been unable to set foot on Haiti since being appointed 18 months ago because a conflict in the country forces them to play their home matches 500 miles away in Curacao – an island nation just off the coast of South American country Venezuela.

Wolves’ midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is among their squad, some of whom play in Major League Soccer or European leagues.

Morocco are second seeds but are ranked 11th in the world, were semi-finalists at the last World Cup and boast the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimin and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.

They won all eight of their qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding just twice.

While Brazil stars like Vinicius Junior and Gabriel need little intorduction, nor does manager Carlo Ancelotti.

However, the five-time winners struggled in qualifying. They ended up fifth in the 10-team section in South America, losing six times, including to Bolivia.

So if Scotland can beat Haiti and either take a point or narrow defeat against the top two seeds, they stand a good chance of going through to the last 32.

Not that Clarke is taking anyone lightly.

“Haiti as the pot four team will be difficult,” he told BBC Scotland.

What are the pundits saying?

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown: “We’ve got to look to beat Haiti, it will be a huge game for us. Morocco, we’ll be underdogs from looking at the world rankings, it’s a hard game.

“Brazil is the big one. Everyone will want to be at that Scotland v Brazil game. Seeing that yellow shirt, they’ve got top quality players. As do Morocco.

“We’ve got to beat Haiti and try to pick up points somewhere else. There is hope for us.”

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: “It’s a tough draw. You’ve got the glamour tie against Brazil. Then Morocco, people will tip them to be a dark horse because they got to a semi-final last time.

“And you hate to say it, because it’s international football, but it’s a winnable tie against Haiti.

    • 4 hours ago

Where are Scotland’s games?

Scotland will open against Haiti on Saturday 13 June in Boston or New York.

They will then take on Morocco on Friday 19 June in Boston or Philadelphia, before finishing against Brazil in either Atlanta or Miami on Wednesday 24 June.

What about buying tickets?

The first batch of tickets went on sale at the start of October, with more than 4.5 million fans entering a draw for a chance to buy them.

However, some fans will be able to apply for tickets this month for Scotland’s games.

Members of the Scotland Supporters Club (SSC), made up of those who go to home and away games regularly, will be given access to apply from Monday, 15 December until the final deadline on 13 January.

These tickets will be allocated based on the Scottish FA’s loyalty points system.

It is not yet clear how many tickets will be specifically allocated to Scotland fans, given the venues are still to be confirmed.

Those who are not SSC members will have to wait for a last-minute sales phase which will take place closer to the tournament.

Related topics

  • Football
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team

Could one win get Scotland out of World Cup group?

Getty Images

After a 27-year absence from the World Cup finals, Scotland are back and know they will be taking on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti in the United States next June.

It is a daunting task for Steve Clarke and his team, but the Tartan Army will already be going to bed with an American dream of progression.

Their chances will be boosted by the expanded format, where even finishing third in Group C may be enough.

The eight best third-place sides in the group stage will join the group winners and runners-up in the first knockout round.

Could one win be enough for Scotland?

There are only four third-place sides who will miss out on a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Which means getting three points, and a respectable goal difference, would go a long way to ranking in the top eight of the third-best sides.

A win and a draw – so four points – would almost certainly be enough.

Looking at the last two European Championships as a comparison, four points was enough for a third-place team to qualify.

Slovenia in 2024 and Ukraine in 2020 went through after finishing third in their respective sections with three points, edging out other teams on goal difference.

In the Euros four of the six best third-place sides go through to the last 16, in other words two third of them.

‘It’s a great draw, bring it on’

Listen on Sounds

What about Scotland’s opponents?

The best chance for a Scotland win looks most likely in the first game against Haiti.

Ranked 84th in the world, the Carribean nation qualified for their first World Cup since 1974 by beating Nicaragua last month.

Manager Sebastien Migne has been unable to set foot on Haiti since being appointed 18 months ago because a conflict in the country forces them to play their home matches 500 miles away in Curacao – an island nation just off the coast of South American country Venezuela.

Wolves’ midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is among their squad, some of whom play in Major League Soccer or European leagues.

Morocco are second seeds but are ranked 11th in the world, were semi-finalists at the last World Cup and boast the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimin and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz.

They won all eight of their qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding just twice.

While Brazil stars like Vinicius Junior and Gabriel need little intorduction, nor does manager Carlo Ancelotti.

However, the five-time winners struggled in qualifying. They ended up fifth in the 10-team section in South America, losing six times, including to Bolivia.

So if Scotland can beat Haiti and either take a point or narrow defeat against the top two seeds, they stand a good chance of going through to the last 32.

Not that Clarke is taking anyone lightly.

“Haiti as the pot four team will be difficult,” he told BBC Scotland.

What are the pundits saying?

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown: “We’ve got to look to beat Haiti, it will be a huge game for us. Morocco, we’ll be underdogs from looking at the world rankings, it’s a hard game.

“Brazil is the big one. Everyone will want to be at that Scotland v Brazil game. Seeing that yellow shirt, they’ve got top quality players. As do Morocco.

“We’ve got to beat Haiti and try to pick up points somewhere else. There is hope for us.”

Former Scotland forward James McFadden: “It’s a tough draw. You’ve got the glamour tie against Brazil. Then Morocco, people will tip them to be a dark horse because they got to a semi-final last time.

“And you hate to say it, because it’s international football, but it’s a winnable tie against Haiti.

    • 4 hours ago

Where are Scotland’s games?

Scotland will open against Haiti on Saturday 13 June in Boston or New York.

They will then take on Morocco on Friday 19 June in Boston or Philadelphia, before finishing against Brazil in either Atlanta or Miami on Wednesday 24 June.

What about buying tickets?

The first batch of tickets went on sale at the start of October, with more than 4.5 million fans entering a draw for a chance to buy them.

However, some fans will be able to apply for tickets this month for Scotland’s games.

Members of the Scotland Supporters Club (SSC), made up of those who go to home and away games regularly, will be given access to apply from Monday, 15 December until the final deadline on 13 January.

These tickets will be allocated based on the Scottish FA’s loyalty points system.

It is not yet clear how many tickets will be specifically allocated to Scotland fans, given the venues are still to be confirmed.

Those who are not SSC members will have to wait for a last-minute sales phase which will take place closer to the tournament.

Related topics

  • Football
  • Scotland Men’s Football Team