World Cup 2026

[Durhamfootman]

I've been trying to work out Scotland's chances of going through, even if they lose tonight. I reckon there are only 3 groups where 3rd place is likely to be less than 3 points... groups A, E and G, so they are going to have to get a result, or hope that somebody else screws up. I think Algeria/Austria and Paraguay/Australia will all set their stalls out to play for the draw, knowing that 4 points will take them through.
Sweden are vulnerable if they lose to Japan by more goals than Scotland lose to Brazil. Uruguay have to take a point off Spain to progress if Scotland lose. I think Senegal will beat Iraq, but have a much worse GD, so that might be determined by how badly Scotland lose as much as by how handsomely they win. Congo will beat Uzbekistan so if Scotland lose, DRC will go through. Croatia can ill afford to lose to Ghana

there are loads of permutations, but the upshot is that if Scotland lose, they might get lucky as long as they don't lose by much more than the odd goal.

It bothers me, with this format, that second and third placed teams can go into final group games knowing that they can go through with a nod and wink before the start of the match. I thought football was supposed to have moved away from all that nonsense

[Durhamfootman]

Uruguay would seem to be Scotland's best bet

[Durhamfootman]

In fact there will be a fair number of teams who will all be hoping that Uruguay lose to Spain

[Durhamfootman]

Scotland are 2 down already, so they are going to have to be very, very lucky


ooh.... disallowed by VAR. 1 down.... only

[Durhamfootman]

3-0 to Brazil. Scotland now have the worst GD of any of the 3rd placed teams on 3 points

[andy]

Scotland defensively were abysmal and frankly they don't deserve to go through

[alfie]

Bit of a shocker for Scotland I'm, afraid. Might be kinder to them to go home rather than have to play another top team based on that performance. You'd think that negative goal difference has done for them. Haiti's spirited effort against Morocco actually makes the one Scottish success look a lot more impressive , ironically enough !