The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is here, marking the first time fans can enjoy the tournament in summer for eight long years. With the 2022 edition held in winter to protect players from the Qatar heat, not since 2018 have supporters been able to spend evenings soaking up the sun and football alike.
For Scottish fans, however, the wait to cheer on their team at a World Cup Finals in any capacity has been even longer. The 2026 tournament marks the end of an agonising 28-year wait for Scotland to return to football’s biggest stage, having last qualified for France 98.
Making the tournament was so momentous that star midfielder Scott McTominay’s spectacular overhead goal from the decisive match against Denmark has even been immortalised on a banknote.
Scottish champions Celtic are sending two players to join up with Steve Clarke’s men, with defenders Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston chosen to represent their country. Tierney is expected to play a key role for Scotland over the summer, with his ability to switch between a traditional left-back and a left centre-back set to underpin the team’s defensive shape.
Scotland are in Group C for the World Cup alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. It’s undoubtedly a tough group, but the new format being used this year means qualification for the knockout stage is still entirely possible.
These are all the key dates to remember to follow the team’s, along with Tierney and Ralston’s, progress.
Group stage tough, but escapable
Scottish fans looking to watch the team’s return to World Cup action are due a late night for the opening game, with the team kicking off their campaign against Haiti at 2am on Sunday 14th June.
The match is being held at Boston Stadium, and is Scotland’s best chance of getting points in the Group Stage. Fans can back the team to return to the World Cup with a bang on one of Goal.com’s recommended best betting sites.
Scotland’s second Group Stage game is being held at the slightly earlier time of 11pm on Friday 19th June, and the Tartan Army has no doubt already got the match singled out to kick off their weekend. This match will be tough one against a Morocco side who won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and were the only team outside of Europe to qualify with a flawless record.
The final game of the Group Stage comes on Wednesday 24th June, where Scotland face the mighty Brazil in an 11pm kick off. In the World Cup’s old format, Scotland may have needed a result against the South American titans for any hope of moving on. In 2026, though, early points may be enough.
Potential Round of 32 routes
The 2026 World Cup is using a new, expanded format, with 48 teams starting the tournament across twelve groups. As a part of the new structure, the eight best third placed teams will join the traditional top two teams from each group in the next round.
With footballing minnows Haiti in their group, Scotland will have high hopes of finishing at least third, and having a chance of playing in the knockout stage.
A third place finish gives Scotland a range of options for the all-new Round of 32.
The first path is facing the Group E winner, likely Germany, at 00:30am on Tuesday, 30th June. Scotland could also be placed against the Group I winners, which should be France, at 10pm on 30th June.
The third option would see Scotland go up against the winners of Group A, which is predicted to be either Mexico or South Korea. This game is scheduled for 2am on Wednesday, 1st July.
Things are simpler if Scotland can get a result against Morocco and finish second in the group. This would see them having their Round of 32 match at 2am on Tuesday 30th June, taking on the winner of Group F. Whoever they face here will be a tough game, likely against the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden.
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