2026 World Cup: How can Scotland qualify for finals?

Scotland and Denmark are on 10 points each.

The Danes have a significant goal difference advantage of six goals and this is the first factor that will decide whether the teams are tied on points.

But Scotland hopes they can get the job done without so much fuss.

We can probably assume that Denmark will beat Belarus, which they beat 6-0 last week, scoreless at home in November, which will take them to 13 points.

If Scotland beat Greece, who have already been beaten in Athens, they will match that scoreline and set up a high-anxiety decider at Hampden.

A draw on 18 November would almost certainly favor the Danes, given the goal difference disparity.

Should the Scots draw in Athens, victory over Denmark would still be enough to win the group.

But Scotland’s defeat in Greece and Denmark’s victory over Belarus mean a spectacular final-leg victory is needed to give Clarke’s team a chance of automatic qualification.