Scotland prepares for a tough World Cup group with Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti, aiming to go beyond the group stage
Scotland’s players, fans, and pundits are all buzzing with excitement after their World Cup draw was revealed, with the national team set to face Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in the group stage. The draw has sparked optimism and anticipation for Steve Clarke’s side, as the Scots prepare for their return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence.
Scotland’s World Cup journey will kick off against Haiti on June 13, followed by matches against Morocco on June 19 and Brazil on June 24. The games are likely to be held in various locations across the US, including Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Philadelphia. Scotland’s opponents include five-time champions Brazil, who they have faced before, and Morocco, a team that also defeated them in the 1998 World Cup. Haiti, meanwhile, is making a long-awaited return to the tournament for the first time since 1974.
The draw was met with a sense of excitement from both players and officials. Scotland’s head coach Steve Clarke, along with Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell, were seen laughing and in good spirits as Scotland’s name was drawn from the pot. The group has been labelled as a “quirk of fate” by Clarke, given the historical matchups with Brazil and Morocco.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile some cautious optimism surrounds the team’s chances, Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie emphasized that the team is not just there to participate, but to compete. “We’re not just there to make up the numbers,” said Christie. “We want to go and compete and get through the group phase. We have to go over there wanting to try to prove a point.”
Christie, who was part of the Scotland squads in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, both of which ended at the group stage, acknowledged that Scotland’s journey in these major tournaments had been difficult. However, he remains hopeful that the same core of players can take the next step in this World Cup. “It’s the same core of players that’s managed to qualify for this World Cup,” he explained. “Hopefully, we can go this one step further this time.”
Despite the tough opponents, including two heavyweights in Brazil and Morocco, Christie believes that Haiti will also be a challenging team to face. “Nobody gets to a World Cup without being a decent team,” he said, noting that Haiti’s qualification demonstrates their strength. “We’re going into the tournament as underdogs, and that suits us,” he added, confident that Scotland can surprise their opponents.
As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Scotland’s players are filled with excitement and determination. With the backing of fans, they are ready to face the challenges of a tough group and prove that they belong on the world stage.
