How Scotland fared in previous matches against World Cup qualifying opponents

Scotland have been drawn in a four-team qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Steve Clarke’s side will face whichever team loses the Nations League quarter-final tie between Portugal and Denmark, along with Greece and Belarus.

Here, PA news agency looks at the teams who stand between Scotland and their first appearance at a World Cup finals since France, 1998.

Portugal

Scotland have lost four, drawn four and lost nine times in their 17 meetings with Portugal.

The two sides played each other in the 1982 and 1994 World Cup qualifiers, the Scots qualifying for the former but missing out in the latter.

In their recent Nations League meetings, Portugal beat Clarke’s side 2-1 in Lisbon in September, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a late winner.

The Portuguese superstar was less than happy when his side were held to a goalless draw in the return game at Hampden Park in October.

Roberto Martínez’s side are currently sixth in the FIFA rankings.

Portugal have made it to eight World Cup finals and finished third in 1966, losing to winners England in the semi-final before beating Soviet Union in the third place play-off.

Denmark

Scotland have played Denmark 18 times and there is yet to be a draw- the Scots emerging triumphant on 11 occasions.

Most recently, they were drawn in the same group for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Denmark won 2-0 in Copenhagen while the Scots emerged victors by the same scoreline  against the already-qualified Danes in the return game at Hampden Park to secure a seeded spot in the World Cup play-off semi-finals, where they lost to Ukraine.

Brian Riemer’s side are currently 21st in the FIFA rankings.

Denmark have qualified for six World Cup finals, reaching the quarter-finals in 1998.

Greece

Scotland have only ever played Greece twice – and now are set to meet them four times next year.

The Scots won 1-0 and lost 1-0 when they took on the Greeks in the Euro 96 qualifiers, with Craig Brown’s side making the finals in England.

Clarke’s side face Greece in the UEFA Nations League Group A/B play-off next March.

The two-legged tie, which will see the first leg in Greece on March 20, before the return leg at Hampden Park three days later, will determine which side takes their place in the top level of the Nations League campaign in 2026.

Greece, managed by Ivan Jovanovic, are currently 39th in FIFA’s rankings.

The Greeks have qualified for three World Cup finals; 1994, 2010 and 2014, reaching the last 16 in the latter tournament in Brazil.

Belarus

Scotland have played Belarus on four previous occasions.

Craig Brown’s side won 1-0 away and 4-1 at home when they faced each other in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers.

The two countries were also in the same qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup, with a goalless draw in Belarus followed by a 1-0 win for the visitors at Hampden Park.

A FIFA member since 1992, Belarus have never qualified for a World Cup finals. Carlos Alos’ side are currently ranked 98th by FIFA.