What do Scotland need to get out of their group?

Morocco's midfielder #11 Ismael Saibari (R) and Scotland's forward #11 Ryan Christie — Ismael Saibari has damaged Scottish hopes of progressing (Image credit: FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Morocco are one of the teams standing in Scotland’s way of knockout football in World Cup 2026.

It’d be the first time the Tartan Army have got out of their group in their World Cup history, and it’s a real possibility.

They kicked off against Morocco at 11pm UK time, with their opponents taking an early lead, but what do they need from the game to escape Group C?

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What do Scotland need to get out of Group C at World Cup 2026?

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES - 2026/06/06: The Scottish National Team starting 11 team photo before international friendly match against Bolivia. — The Tartan Army are bidding to get out of a World Cup group for the first time ever (Image credit: Getty Images)

Scotland’s opening to the tournament has put them in a dream position to break their own competition record, despite the difficult start against the Atlas Lions.

They took three points from their first game, a slender 1-0 victory over Haiti thanks to Aston Villa man John McGinn.

A goal for Scotland. A goal for ALL OF SCOTLAND! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿John McGinn fires his nation ahead against Haiti! #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2otuUub0ohJune 14, 2026

With a maximum of nine points available, and after Morocco and Brazil drew in the first round of fixtures, it means a win in Foxborough would guarantee Steve Clarke’s side a place in the round of 32.

But, due to the nature of the table, and the chance for the third-place teams with the highest tallies to still progress, a draw here, regardless of the last result against Brazil, is likely to be enough.

However, they’ll want to perform as strongly as possible, and could even top the group with a win in their second outing.

That’d see them face the second team in Group F in the round of 32, currently on course to be one of Japan, Netherlands or Tunisia, with Sweden taking an early lead with their opening win.

A second-place finish would see Scotland face the winner of Group F, which could be Graham Potter’s side as things stand.

Head Coach Steve Clarke (R) and Scott McTominay (L) during a Scotland Men's National Team training session at Atrium Health Training Ground ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — Steve Clarke will know exactly what his team needs to reach an historic milestone (Image credit: Getty Images)

A loss for Scotland wouldn’t spell the end of their hopes, but if Brazil beat Haiti, as they are expected to do, and Morocco take three points, it would be touch and go for the Tartan Army, banking on what the rest of the third-place teams do.

The Selecao didn’t give the best account of themselves in their first match against Morocco, but with the firepower and defensive solidity they boast, Scotland won’t want to go into that final game relying on a result if they can help it.

That final game is set for an 11pm kick off, UK time, in Miami.

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Isaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters’ meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.