On Friday, Scotland will learn who their opponents will be for the 2026 World Cup.
The Tartan Army is making a return to football’s premier event for the first time since 1998.
Under the leadership of Steve Clarke, Scotland successfully qualified for the last two European Championships but unfortunately did not progress past the group stages, finishing without a win.
As they participate in the inaugural 48-team World Cup, Scotland will be aiming for a favorable draw that allows them to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
Scotland has been placed in Pot 3 for the World Cup draw scheduled for Friday, December 5, with the stipulation that they can face no more than one other European nation.
Potential Opponents for Scotland in the 2026 World Cup Group Stage
One from Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
One from Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia.
One from Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, and teams from the European Play-Offs (A, B, C, and D) as well as FIFA Play-Off Tournaments 1 and 2.
Is There a Chance Scotland Could Face England?
Yes, it is possible. Four groups will include two European teams since there are 16 European teams to fit into 12 groups. However, if England draws Croatia, Switzerland, or Austria from Pot 2, then they would not be able to face Scotland from Pot 3.
Scotland’s Worst-Case World Cup Draw
Spain and Argentina stand as the top two ranked teams globally, and due to the strength of the European teams, Scotland might prefer facing La Roja, given their prior victory over them two years ago. In Pot 2, they could encounter tough competition like Croatia and Morocco, while the UEFA playoff paths present significant threats, especially one that could include Italy.
Nightmare draw: Argentina, Morocco, Scotland, UEFA Play-off Path A.
What Could be Scotland’s Easiest Group?
If Scotland draws co-hosts Canada or the USA from Pot 1, they would start strong. Adding an opponent like Austria or Australia from Pot 2, and a team like Cape Verde or New Zealand from Pot 4, would surely please Steve Clarke.
Dream draw: Canada, Australia, Scotland, Haiti.
When Will the 2026 World Cup Draw Take Place?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is set for 5 PM GMT/12 PM EST on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The U.S. president Donald Trump is anticipated to attend.
How Will the World Cup Draw Function?
The 48 participating nations will be organized into 12 groups of four teams each, with one team from each of the four draw pots.
Pot one will include the three host nations—USA, Canada, and Mexico—as well as the nine top-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings that qualified for the tournament. Mexico will take Group A, Canada will be in Group B, and the USA has been assigned to Group D.
Pots two, three, and four will consist of the next 12 best-ranked nations in order, ensuring that groups remain balanced and that top teams do not face each other until the knockout rounds.
Teams from the same confederation will be separated during the group stage, except for Europe, where more than two teams will be placed into groups. No group will contain more than two European nations.