Scotland have never reached the knockout stages of a men's World Cup. As they prepare for their final group match against Brazil in Miami, fans are praying for the "perfect" result to change that. A win or draw would all but secure their place in the last 32 for the first time ever, turning decades of near-misses into a historic breakthrough.
Scotland's Group C campaign began with a victory against Haiti, putting them in a strong position. But a defeat to Morocco last time out means their fate is still in their own hands: they need at least a point against five-time world champions Brazil. Even a narrow defeat might be enough, thanks to a quirk of the expanded 48-team tournament. The top two teams from each of the 16 groups advance automatically, along with the eight best third-placed teams. That second chance means Scotland could still progress even if they lose, provided other results go their way.
“Scotland need at least a draw against Brazil to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.”
This is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from 32. The change was designed to give more nations a chance to compete, but it has also created some controversy around the new tie-breaking rules. For Scotland, it offers a lifeline. In 1998, their last World Cup appearance, defeats to Brazil and Morocco ended their hopes. Now, 28 years later, they have a chance to rewrite that history. Kick-off in Miami Stadium is at 23:00 BST, and the match is being shown live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Why it matters for UK readers Scotland's journey is a rare moment of hope for a nation that has not qualified for a men's World Cup since 1998. Tens of thousands of Tartan Army fans have travelled to Miami, and millions more will watch at home. A victory over Brazil would be one of the biggest results in Scottish football history. Even a draw would spark celebrations across the country. The new tournament format also means that for England, Wales or other home nations in future World Cups, the path to the knockout stages may no longer require a top-two finish.
Key questions answered
Q: What do Scotland need to qualify for the knockout stages? A win or draw against Brazil would almost certainly take them through. A narrow defeat by one goal might also be enough, depending on results in other groups, because the eight best third-placed teams advance to the last 32.
Q: How does the new 48-team World Cup format work? The tournament has 16 groups of three teams each. The top two from each group qualify automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. This replaces the old 32-team format with eight groups of four, where only the top two advanced.
Q: When and where can I watch Scotland vs Brazil? The match kicks off at 23:00 BST on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at Miami Stadium. It will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
What happens next After the Brazil match, Scotland will wait to see if they have qualified. If they do, they will play in the round of 32, likely in Mexico City. Manager Steve Clarke will await the fitness of key players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn, while Brazil's Neymar may feature after recovering from a calf injury. The expanded group stage concludes this week, with the knockout rounds beginning shortly after.