SCOTLAND find themselves on the brink of an early World Cup 2026 exit – but Steve Clarke’s side still have a glimmer of hope.

The Tartan Army got their group stages off to the perfect start when ‘s 28th-minute strike sealed a 1-0 win over Haiti.

Scotland v Brazil - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group CScotland’s fate is in the hands of other teams Credit: PA

However, their fortunes quickly changed as Vinicus Jr’s double, followed by a second-half strike, saw Scotland suffer a 3-0 battering at the hands of .

Even with one win from three and a minus goal difference, Clarke’s men can still qualify via the 3rd place rankings route.

But this depends on how other teams do, and already, results haven’t been going their way.

What results do Scotland need to qualify for World Cup 2026 knockouts?

Here are the scenarios from each group that could help Scotland and needs four of them to go his side’s way.

Senegal vs Iraq – Group I – Friday 8pm BST

The Scots need Senegal to fail to beat Iraq. If Iraq claim victory, Scotland will be hoping they do not win by three or more, or Steve Clarke’s side would be overtaken.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabi and Uruguay vs Spain – Group H – Saturday 1am BST

A plain and simple way. Scotland need Spain to beat Uruguay. This would mean Marcelo Bielsa’s side would finish third on two points, and be behind Scotland in the third-place table – no matter what.

Egypt vs Iran – Group G – Saturday 4am BST

Similar to Group H, the team in third could be on just two points if Egypt win against Iran. That result would mean third spot has two points no matter what happens in the other game.

Croatia vs Ghana – Group L – Saturday 10pm BST

Scotland need Ghana to beat current third-placed side Croatia by at least three goals, so that the Croatians have the same points tally as Scotland and a worse goal difference.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan – Group K – Sunday 12:30am BST

Steve Clarke’s men need Uzbekistan to win or draw against DR Congo. If Uzbekistan win, they cannot do so by four or more goals, or they would go ahead of Scotland.

Algeria vs Austria – Group J – Sunday 3am BST

The Tartan Army need Austria to win by two or more goals to push Algeria behind Scotland on goal difference in the third-place table.

Friday 26 June
Norway
Norway-flag
20:00
Group I
France-flag
France
Senegal
Senegal-flag
20:00
Group I
Iraq-flag
Iraq
Saturday 27 June
Uruguay
Uruguay-flag
01:00
Group H
Spain-flag
Spain
Cabo Verde
Cape-verde
01:00
Group H
Saudi-arabia-flag
Saudi Arabia
Friday 26 June
Group A P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
3
0
0
6
9
2
3
1
1
1
-1
4
3
3
1
0
2
-1
3
4
3
0
1
2
-4
1
Group B P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
4
7
2
3
1
1
1
5
4
3
3
1
1
1
-1
4
4
3
0
1
2
-8
1
Group C P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
6
7
2
3
2
1
0
3
7
3
3
1
0
2
-3
3
4
3
0
0
3
-6
0
Group D P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
0
1
4
6
2
3
1
1
1
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
-2
4
4
3
1
0
2
-2
3
Group E P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
0
1
6
6
2
3
2
0
1
2
6
3
3
1
1
1
0
4
4
3
0
1
2
-8
1
Group F P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
2
1
0
6
7
2
3
1
2
0
4
5
3
3
1
1
1
0
4
4
3
0
0
3
-10
0
Group G P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
2
4
2
2
0
2
0
0
2
3
2
0
2
0
0
2
4
2
0
1
1
-2
1
Group H P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
4
4
2
2
0
2
0
0
2
3
2
0
2
0
0
2
4
2
0
1
1
-4
1
Group I P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
5
6
2
2
2
0
0
4
6
3
2
0
0
2
-3
0
4
2
0
0
2
-6
0
Group J P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
5
6
2
2
1
0
1
0
3
3
2
1
0
1
-2
3
4
2
0
0
2
-3
0
Group K P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
2
0
0
3
6
2
2
1
1
0
5
4
3
2
0
1
1
-1
1
4
2
0
0
2
-7
0
Group L P W D L GD PTS Form
1
2
1
1
0
2
4
2
2
1
1
0
1
4
3
2
1
0
1
-1
3
4
2
0
0
2
-2
0
3rd Place Ranking P W D L GD PTS Form
1
3
1
1
1
0
4
2
3
1
1
1
0
4
3
3
1
1
1
-1
4
4
3
1
1
1
-2
4
5
2
1
0
1
-1
3
6
3
1
0
2
-1
3
7
2
1
0
1
-2
3
8
3
1
0
2
-3
3
9
2
0
2
0
0
2
10
2
0
2
0
0
2
11
2
0
1
1
-1
1
12
2
0
0
2
-3
0

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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