Scotland manager Steve Clarke says his squad are ready to “bring a little bit of magic” to next year’s World Cup after being handed a nostalgic and challenging group featuring Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. The draw marks Scotland’s long-awaited return to the men’s finals after a 28-year absence, and it reunites them with two opponents from their last appearance in 1998.
A Long Awaited Return
Scotland will make their first World Cup appearance since France ’98, a generation-defining moment for many fans. Clarke’s men earned their place in dramatic fashion, topping their qualifying group with a famous victory over Denmark—a night already regarded as one of the greatest in Scottish football history. Their reward was a pot three seeding at an elaborate draw ceremony in Washington, DC.
Match Schedule
Scotland will begin their campaign against Haiti on Saturday 13 June, with the match set to be staged in either Boston or New York. It will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Their second match, against Morocco on Friday 19 June, will also be played on the U.S. East Coast, with Boston or Philadelphia the two possible host cities. Scotland’s group stage journey concludes in the southeastern United States on Wednesday 24 June, when they face Brazil in either Atlanta or Miami—an occasion expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the entire tournament. Final venue assignments will be confirmed on Saturday.
Clarke Relishing the Challenge
Clarke, speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, made it clear he is enthusiastic about the challenge ahead.
“It’s a great draw—bring it on,” he said. “One of the things I was hoping for was to avoid European teams. Instead we’ve got three top sides from three different continents. That’s what a World Cup should be.”
With the tournament jointly hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico—though most matches take place on American soil—Scotland will immerse themselves in a global showcase they have long been absent from.
The Opposition: A Closer Look
Haiti
Ranked 84th in the world, Haiti are the relative unknowns of the group, but Clarke has warned against underestimating them. They qualified for only the second World Cup in their history by beating Nicaragua 2–0. Their French manager, Sébastien Migné, has been unable to visit Haiti since taking charge due to severe conflict in the country, forcing the team to play all home games 500 miles away in Curaçao. Despite these hurdles, they topped their qualifying section convincingly.
Morocco
Scotland and Morocco have met only once before—at France ’98—when the North Africans ended Scotland’s tournament with a clinical 3–0 win in Saint-Étienne. This time around, Morocco enter the World Cup in formidable form, riding an impressive 12-match winning streak. Their rapid rise in world football and consistent performances make them one of the toughest sides in pot two.
Brazil
Brazil need no introduction. Although recent results have been mixed—including a 1–1 draw with Tunisia and losses to both Japan and Bolivia—they remain one of the sport’s true powerhouses. Now coached by Carlo Ancelotti, the five-time champions still boast a star-studded squad capable of beating any team on the planet.
Their meeting with Scotland evokes memories of the iconic 1998 World Cup opener at the Stade de France, where Tom Boyd’s own goal sealed a narrow 2–1 victory for the Brazilians. Clarke acknowledges the scale of the challenge but insists Scotland are prepared.
“Brazil in a World Cup—that will be a special occasion. Their fans create an incredible atmosphere, but the Tartan Army is pretty special as well.”
A Nation Ready to Believe Again
Under Clarke, Scotland have already reached two European Championships, but qualifying for the World Cup represents a historic turning point for a nation that has waited nearly three decades for this moment. The journey ahead is daunting, but the mood around the Scotland camp is one of excitement and confidence.