Football Jun 28, 2026

Can Scotland qualify for the World Cup knockout stages? What Steve Clarke's side need to qualify as third-placed team

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By Admin
Sports Journalist
Can Scotland qualify for the World Cup knockout stages? What Steve Clarke's side need to qualify as third-placed team

Scotland need a miracle to stay in the World Cup ahead of the final group-stage matches on Saturday.

Following results on Friday and Saturday morning, Opta have calculated Scotland's chances of progressing at just 0.07 per cent.

"If you're a Scotland fan, you're probably heading to the airport," said Your Site' Roy Keane on ITV on Friday.

Steve Clarke's side currently sit 10th in the 12-team third-place table, with only the top eight progressing to the last 32.

Scotland now need three scenarios to happen if they are to stay in the World Cup. If any of these fail, then they are officially out.

Here are the three things they need:

Scotland need Ghana to beat current third-placed side Croatia by at least three goals, so that the Croatians have the same points tally as Scotland and a worse goal difference.

Scotland need Uzbekistan to win or draw against DR Congo. If Uzbekistan win, they cannot do so by four or more goals, or they would go ahead of Scotland.

Scotland need Austria to win by two or more goals to push Algeria behind Scotland on goal difference in the third-place table.

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