Scotland Fans Shocked but Optimistic After 2026 World Cup Group C Draw with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti

Analysis by Hikaru Sakamoto

Scotland Draw Brazil, Morocco and Haiti at World Cup 2026: Key Questions and Early Reactions

Scotland are finally back on football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998 — and fate has thrown them into a déjà vu of a group. Steve Clarke’s side will face five-time champions Brazil, rising African powerhouse Morocco, and a rejuvenated Haiti team that dominated their qualifying section.

For long-time supporters, seeing Brazil and Morocco appear again in Scotland’s group sparked memories of France ’98. Clarke himself admitted he cracked a smile.

With the Tartan Army already dreaming of a historic knockout run, here are the key questions ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

Clarke’s Reaction: “We’ll bring a bit of magic too.”

Steve Clarke has already made history — the only manager ever to guide Scotland’s men’s team to three consecutive major tournaments, and the first to return the nation to a World Cup after 27 years.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Clarke said facing Brazil is special, but Scotland aren’t just there to watch:

“We’re going to bring a little bit of magic as well, hopefully. It’s great to play them.”

He also pointed out the strange coincidence of drawing both Brazil and Morocco again:

“1998 was a long time ago, but it’s a quirky bit of fate.”

Clarke was quick to warn against underestimating Haiti:

“They won their qualifying section comfortably. They’ll be difficult.”

One thing he’s delighted about? No European opponents:

“We’re playing three top sides from three different continents — that’s what the World Cup is all about.”

Where and When Will Scotland Play?

Venue assignments will be confirmed Saturday, but the schedule is set:

Group C Fixtures

• June 13: Scotland vs Haiti — Boston or New Jersey–New York
• June 19: Scotland vs Morocco — Boston or Philadelphia
• June 24: Scotland vs Brazil — Atlanta or Miami

With the 2026 World Cup spread across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, this will be the most geographically demanding tournament ever.

Last summer, nearly 200,000 Scottish fans flooded Germany. This time, the distances will be enormous — no trains, no road trips, just long-haul flights and meticulous planning.

What Does Scotland’s Route to the Final Look Like?

It’s never too early to dream. Based on the highest-ranked possible opponents progressing, here are the hypothetical paths:

If Scotland Win Group C

• R32 (June 29): vs Japan — Houston
• R16 (July 5): vs Senegal — East Rutherford
• QF (July 11): vs England — Miami
• SF (July 15): vs Argentina — Atlanta
• Final (July 19): vs Spain — East Rutherford

If Scotland Finish Second

• R32 (June 29): vs Netherlands — Guadeloupe
• R16 (July 4): vs Italy — Houston
• QF (July 9): vs France — Foxborough
• SF (July 14): vs Spain — Arlington
• Final (July 19): vs Argentina — East Rutherford

If Scotland Finish Third

Qualification becomes extremely complex. Several routes exist, but none can be confirmed until the final group games are completed.

Ticket Prices and Dynamic Pricing Explained

For the first time ever, FIFA will use dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs will fluctuate with demand.

• Group-stage tickets: From £45 / $60
• Most expensive final tickets: £5,094 / $6,730

Each national association — including the Scottish FA — will receive only 8% of the stadium allocation to distribute at fixed prices. That means only a few thousand fans will benefit before dynamic pricing takes over.

A second application window runs Dec 11 – Jan 13, using fixed pricing via a random ballot.

FIFA will also operate an official reselling platform where sellers set their own prices — with FIFA taking 15% commission from both seller and buyer.

Half-Time Show for the First Time in World Cup History

FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium will include the first-ever half-time show.
Coldplay is involved in producing the event, drawing inspiration from the NFL’s Super Bowl.

Will the Tartan Army Need Visas?

Yes — if you’re entering the United States, you must apply for an ESTA.

President Donald Trump announced expedited visa interviews for fans with World Cup tickets and introduced the “FIFA PASS”, granting priority appointments.

• USA: ESTA required
• Mexico: No visa required
• Canada: eTA required

What’s Next for Scotland Before the Tournament?

March brings warm-up matches — no playoffs to stress over this time. Clarke will use these fixtures to refine his squad, and it’s the last major window for fringe players to make their case.

Expect familiar faces, but also late challengers pushing for a seat on the plane. For fans, it’s the last real chance to watch Scotland before the journey begins.

And just in case it hasn’t sunk in yet: Scotland have qualified for the World Cup.

The Bigger Picture

I’m with the Scotland support on this one: this draw feels difficult, familiar, and strangely encouraging all at once — which is exactly why belief has crept in. Brazil and Morocco carry history, but they don’t inspire paralysis. They invite ambition. Steve Clarke’s team has already shown it can stand toe-to-toe with elite opposition, and names like Scott McTominay, John McGinn, and Ben Doak are mentioned with expectation, not hope.

What matters most in the collective mood is clarity. Haiti first means control. It means a chance to set the tone, chase goal difference, and give the group immediate shape. From there, the chaos Scotland fans almost welcome — soaking pressure, frustrating giants, and swinging momentum in unexpected moments. This isn’t blind confidence. It’s familiarity with who this team is, how it competes, and how tight tournament margins really are. The excitement comes from recognizing a group that is hard, but playable — and a Scotland side that no longer arrives just to survive.

Fan Reactions

Scotland Fans

• “Beat Haiti, take a point off Brazil, and then get smashed by Morocco. Feels about right for us.”
• “Honestly, that might even be enough to sneak through. I’d sign for that immediately.”
• “Opening with Haiti is massive. Win that and the whole group suddenly looks different.”
• “If we bottle Haiti, we might as well book the flight home straight away.”
• “Everything comes down to goal difference. Haiti is where you rack it up.”
• “This draw just screams Scotland — brutal, familiar, but weirdly hopeful.”
• “I just want one World Cup win to cling to. Just one.”
• “And of course that one win will be against Brazil, right after losing to Haiti.”
• “Brazil aren’t untouchable. We beat Spain — why not?”
• “Morocco are genuinely excellent, but football isn’t played on ranking tables.”
• “We’ve beaten France and Spain before. On our day, we can punch above our weight.”
• “Hard group, but not a dead one. Not even close.”
• “Beat Haiti and suddenly third place looks very realistic.”
• “This Brazil side is one of the weakest they’ve had in years.”
• “Still… Morocco are miles better than they were in ’98.”
• “Twenty-eight years of waiting just to face the same teams again. Peak Scotland.”
• “This might be the most Scotland draw imaginable.”
• “I’m strangely optimistic, and that probably means trouble.”
• “If there was ever a group where chaos could work in our favor, it’s this one.”
• “We’re absolutely capable of nicking something off Brazil or Morocco.”
• “One win might actually be enough to get through.”
• “This feels difficult, but it feels playable.”
• “Honestly? I don’t mind this draw at all.”
• “It’s a World Cup. Weird things happen.”
• “This group gives us a chance. That’s all I wanted.”

What Remains

What many supporters are pointing to is a shared understanding: everything starts with the match against Haiti. Take three points in the opener, and the entire picture shifts — goal difference included. Brazil and Morocco are respected as strong opponents, but they are not viewed as untouchable. Confidence is grounded in recent evidence: the win over Spain and a history of taking results against higher-ranked sides.

There is pessimism and self-deprecation, as there always is. Still, what ultimately lingers is a quiet sense that this time might be different. Scotland are entering this tournament not merely to participate, but prepared to make something happen.

Source:
sky sports
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13479737/scotlands-world-cup-draw-the-key-questions-as-steve-clarkes-side-are-drawn-against-brazil-morocco-and-haiti?utm_source=chatgpt.com