How can Scotland qualify for World Cup? When are the play-offs? Draw date and potential opponents revealed

While Scotland lost 3-2 to Greece in Piraeus in Saturday night’s penultimate qualifier, they were given a reprieve with Denmark’s surprising 2-2 draw at home to Belarus,

Those two results mean that going into the final set of fixtures in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers, Denmark are at the summit on 11 points. Scotland are second on ten points, with Greece assured third place on six points.

While Scotland were outclassed by a driven Greece, they went into that match knowing that they were assured at the very worst a play-off place. And if they fail to beat the Danes in Glasgow, it is via that route that Steve Clarke’s men will need to reach next summer’s finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

However, given Scotland were at one point 3-0 down to Greece and Denmark were 1-0 up in Copenhagen, still having a chance of automatic qualification is a big boost.

Here is what the play-off situation is for Scotland should they not win against Denmark.

When are the World Cup play-offs?

The play-offs are due to take place at the end of March. Sixteen teams will be involved - the 12 nations that finished second in their groups and four who have qualified via their Nations League performance. The full identity of them will be confirmed after Tuesday’s final round of qualifiers, with the draw due to take place two days later on November 20.

How does the World Cup play-off draw work?

The 16 teams will be split into four pots, with world ranking determining the seeding of the second-placed teams. The four countries that have qualified for the play-offs via the Nations League are automatically down as pot four teams.

Who are the potential World Cup opponents?

If they finish in second place, Scotland are set to be either a pot two or a pot three team. It is anticipated that Italy, Poland, Ukraine and Turkey will be the pot one sides given the current standings in the main qualification phase, with Slovakia, Kosovo, Hungary, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania and Czech Republic the other projected pot two and three teams as things stand.

In the draw, pot one teams will host pot four teams and pot two teams will face pot three teams at home.

Semi-final and final dates

The semi-final is a one-off tie to be played on Thursday, March 26, so home advantage is vital. The winner of pot two v pot three will face an opponent from one of the pot one v pot four matches on Tuesday, March 31, with home advantage to be decided during the draw on November 20.

The four winners of each final will advance to the World Cup, which takes place between Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, July 19, 2026.

When is the World Cup draw?

The draw for the World Cup takes place on Friday, December 5.

Scotland’s name will be in the draw regardless of events on Tuesday against Denmark.