Scotland permutations for progress into the knockout rounds of World Cup 2026

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Scotland are facing the very real prospect of exiting a World Cup at the group stage once again.

The Tartan Army have never reached the knockout stages and that may well continue into 2026 despite winning their opening game against Haiti in Boston.

Indeed, a reasonably heavy 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami has left the Scots on the brink of an exit.

They need to hope they remain one of the best third-placed teams across the groups to stand any hope of reaching the last 32.

Here’s exactly what they need to secure World Cup progress.

Thursday, 25 June, 2026

Group E: Scotland need Ecuador (vs Germany) and Curacao (vs Ivory Coast) to fail to win.

Alternatively, they would need Curacao to beat Ivory Coast by four clear goals and for Ecuador to fail to win.

Group F: Scotland require Sweden to lose to Japan by four or more goals.

Group D: Scotland must hope that Paraguay (vs Australia) win by two or more goals, or pray that they beat the Socceroos by at least four clear goals. 

Friday, 26 June, 2026

Group F: Scotland need Senegal and Iraq to draw – or for Iraq to beat the African giants by no more than two clear goals.

Group H: The Tartan Army require Spain to beat Uruguay.

Group G: They must hope that Egypt beat Iran.

Saturday, 27 June, 2026

Group L: Scotland need Croatia to lose to Ghana by at least three goals.

Group K: They must also hope that DR Congo draw with Uzbekistan OR that Uzbekistan win by no more than three goals.

Group J: Scotland need Algeria to lose to Austria by no more than three goals, or that Austria lose by at least four goals.

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