Scotland face Brazil in must-win World Cup 2026 group finale after Morocco defeat

Scotland must beat Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Wednesday 24 June to secure their place in the World Cup 2026 knockout rounds, after a chastening 1-0 defeat to Morocco left Steve Clarke’s side clinging to third place in Group C.

Morocco needed just 71 seconds to open the scoring against Scotland, and Clarke’s men never recovered, failing to register a single shot on target across the entire match. The result leaves Scotland on three points — earned from their opening victory over Haiti, inspired by John McGinn — but their final standing in the group could yet shift before they kick off against Brazil, depending on the outcome of the Selecao’s meeting with Haiti.

A win against Brazil would guarantee progression, a landmark moment for a nation that has never reached the knockout stage of a World Cup. A draw or defeat, however, would leave Scotland relying on the third-place standings across all groups — a precarious position with no guarantees.

Brazil arrive into the fixture having drawn their opening game with Morocco, but are expected to beat Haiti before turning their attention to Scotland, a match in which they will again be heavy favourites. For Scotland, the scale of the task is clear; for the Tartan Army, so is the prize.

Scotland are competing in their first World Cup since France 1998, where they drew one game and lost two, exiting in the group stage. Three points from two games already represents an improvement on that campaign, and a win over Brazil would transform this into the most successful World Cup in Scottish football history.