Scotland face Brazil in a Group C encounter of the 2026 World Cup at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 25.
Scotland started their World Cup campaign with a euphoric 1-0 victory over Haiti, but were pulled back to earth by Morocco in the next game. Despite losing 1-0 to Morocco, the Steve Clarke-managed side’s hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history remain alive.
On the other hand, Brazil were lucky to escape with a point against Morocco in their opener. The Samba Boys responded emphatically in the next game, thrashing Haiti 3-0, courtesy of a Matheus Cunha brace and another first-half strike from Vinicius Jr. They are now in a strong position to secure top spot in Group C.
Scotland vs Brazil
Team News
Steve Clarke has some fitness concerns in his camp to deal with. Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna and Lewis Ferguson missed group training at the start of the week, as it is understood all three were doing individual work. On Tuesday, the trio were spotted in team training, leaving Clarke with a decision to make when picking his strongest first XI in Miami Gardens.
As for Brazil, Raphinha has been ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the first half of the win over Haiti. But the news that would have been music to the ears of all Brazil fans came when Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar “will be available” to face Scotland after recovering from injury.
Scotland vs Brazil
Predicted Lineups
Predicted Scotland lineup (3-5-2): Angus Gunn; Jack Hendry, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney; Aaron Hickey, Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn, Andy Robertson; Che Adams, Scott McTominay
Predicted Brazil lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro; Rayan, Lucas Paqueta, Vinícius Jr.; Matheus Cunha
Scotland vs Brazil
Odds
As per Kalshi, Brazil are unsurprisingly the overwhelming favourites to win this contest. They have a 73% chance of winning, while there is an 18% chance of the game ending in a draw. Scotland have been given an 11% chance to stun the five-time World Cup winners.
Following an electric display that included a fine finish against Haiti, Vinicius Jr. is considered the favourite to score anytime during the game at 44%. Bruno Guimaraes is backed at 13% to find the back of the net against Scotland. For the Tartan Army, Scott McTominay, the man for the big occasion, has odds at 14% to get on the scoresheet, followed by John McGinn at 9%.
Scotland vs Brazil
Prediction
Clarke is expected to stick with a system that fluctuated between a 3-4-2-1 and a 4-4-1-1 formation against Morocco. He will want his side to be unpredictable and catch Brazil off guard in transitions, with Ancelotti’s boys expected to dominate possession.
Brazil produced a clinical display against Haiti that would have lifted the confidence levels of the entire team, especially their forwards. Cunha, Vinicius Jr. and Paqueta combined well in the final third and caused problems for the Haitian backline. Fit-again Neymar could make his World Cup return for the first time since the upsetting ACL injury sustained in a qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
Not discounting their degree of defensive vulnerability, particularly in transitional play, the Selecao should have enough quality to penetrate Scotland, win the contest and top Group C.
