THE Tartan Army’s hearts are racing as Steve Clarke’s men approach the final stretch of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
For the first time since 1998, Scotland could finally seal a return to football’s biggest stage.
And with just two games left in Group C, Scotland fans are looking at all eventualities to figure out exactly what’s needed from the showdowns against Greece and Denmark.
Scotland have so far enjoyed an unbeaten campaign having secured three wins and one draw – beating Belarus twice, stunning Greece at Hampden and holding the Danes to a goalless draw away from home.
Scotland and Denmark are leading the pack level on 10 points and out of the reach of the Greeks as they sit seven points behinds with just two games left.
As things stand, it’s the Danes who are in the driving seat at the top of the pile on goal difference.
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Head-to-head doesn’t come into play in this qualifying campaign, making every goal scored and conceded over the eight games critical.
Whichever nation finished top of the group will automatically qualify for the tournament in North America next year, while the runners up will have to qualify via the play-offs.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the tricky double-header away to Greece and then the crucial home clash with Denmark at Hampden, which could decide who finishes top.
How can Scotland finish top and automatically qualify?
For Scotland, the ultimate prize is automatic qualification. To finish top of Group C, they need to overcome the current goal difference deficit and stay ahead of Denmark on points or, if tied, surpass them on goal difference.
Denmark are currently six goals clear on goal difference.
A win in Athens would set the stage perfectly, keeping Scotland in control heading to the Denmark fixture. If they follow that with a victory at Hampden, the automatic spot is theirs — no ifs, no buts.
The same goes if Scotland pick up a draw away to Greece. It will be a straight shootout between Clarke’s men and the Danes for first place, with Scotland leapfrogging them if they get three points.
All of this is assuming Denmark see off Belarus as expected.
However, should Belarus pull off a major shock then it’s wide open for Scotland to take advantage — and may only require a draw at Hampden.
What happens if Scotland finish second in Group C?
If Scotland don’t finish top of Group C, finishing second still keeps their World Cup hopes alive via the play‑offs.
That is guaranteed at the very least as Greece dropped out of the race last month.
Should Denmark beat Belarus as expected and Scotland lose to Greece then their hopes of finishing first are all-but over.
They would need a big score-line win against Denmark in the final game to overtake them on goal difference.
In simple terms, it’s likely Scotland will need to pick up more points than the Danes in the final two games – either by winning at Hampden or relying on a shock result for Belarus.
If not then they will finish second and enter the play-offs.
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How do the World Cup play-offs work?
If Scotland do finish second, then they move into the play‑off stage. Here’s how that works:
- The play‑off stage comprises 16 teams: the twelve group runners‑up from the European qualifying groups, plus the **four best group‑winners from the UEFA Nations League who did not finish in the top two of their qualifying group.
- These 16 teams are drawn into four play‑off paths (Path A, B, C and D). Each path has four teams.
- Each path consists of a single‑leg semi‑final and then a single‑leg final. The winners of the four finals (one from each path) qualify for the World Cup.
- Matches will be played in March 2026.
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