Scotland learn World Cup qualifying opponents at FIFA draw in Zurich

Scotland have been drawn to face Denmark or Portugal, Greece and Belarus in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The exact identity of the top seeds won’t be known until Portugal and Denmark meet in the Nations League quarter-finals, when the defeated side will go into Scotland’s qualifying group.

The matches against Greece will see Scotland face familiar opposition, with the teams already scheduled to face each other home and away in the Nations League play-off in March.

The draw took place in Zurich and laid out the pathway for Scotland to end their long exile from the tournament and book a place in the finals, which will be played in Canada, USA and Mexico.

Scotland’s performance in the Nations League, where they finished third in their League A group and set up a relegation play-off against Greece, meant the team was in the third pot of seeds.

From the 12 groups and 54 teams, only 16 will reach the finals.

Group winners will automatically book a place at the tournament, with the 12 runners-up going into play-offs – alongside the four best-ranked Nations League group winners – to fight for the four remaining places at the finals.

Qualifying matches are to be played from March to November next year.

More to follow…