Can Scotland qualify for Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026 after Senegal defeat Iraq?

Scotland qualifying for the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 isn’t quite impossible, but after Senegal destroyed Iraq, it certainly isn’t looking good.

The British side was in a reasonable position going into the match against Brazil at the Miami Stadium in Florida, USA. However, the 3-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the South American giants certainly wasn’t what the doctor ordered.

Scotland has a small chance of making FIFA World Cup Round of 32

All Scotland fans can do right now is hope for a miracle. Only the top eight of the twelve third-placed teams will make it to the knockout stages of the tournament. The tough loss against Brazil left them in sixth place on this list. However, results since haven’t gone their way.

Big victories for South Africa and Ecuador didn’t play into their hands, then Japan failing to beat Sweden by four goals, and the draw between Paraguay and Australia also did nothing to help their chances.

A 5-0 triumph for Senegal over Iraq officially pushed Scotland out of the qualifying places, dropping to ninth in the table.

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What results will help Scotland qualify for the Round of 32?

In Group H, Spain has to come out on top against Uruguay, leaving the inaugural winners of the World Cup on just two points.

A victory for Egypt over Iran in Group G would result in the third-placed team in that group also just having two points.

In Group L, Scotland wants Ghana to beat Croatia by at least three goals, leaving the former runners-up of the competition with a worse goal difference.

Meanwhile, in Group K, Uzbekistan must either draw or win by fewer than four goals against DR Congo.

Lastly, in Group J, Scotland needs Austria to defeat Algeria by two or more goals.

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