Scotland’s 28-year wait to qualify for the World Cup was finally ended last month when their memorable 4-2 win over Denmark saw them top their group and gain a direct passage to next summer’s tournament.
Set to take place across USA, Mexico, and Canada, Steve Clarke’s side won’t have to wait anywhere near as long to discover who they will face at the competition, with the draw set to take place at the Kennedy Center in the American capital of Washington DC on Friday, December 5.
With Scotland placed in pot 3 of the draw, they know they will face a nation from pot 1, pot 2, and pot 4 - but which nations would be the most difficult to face?
Here, The Scotsman rank every pot 1 team in the World Cup 2026 draw ranked on difficulty, from easiest to most difficult. Do you agree with our rankings?
9. Argentina (Difficultly rating: 9)
The holders have quality all across the park, combined with a team ethic that saw them battle they way to the last World Cup final and win it on penalties. Likely to be Lionel Messi's final World Cup, the Argentinian's are definitely one of the tougher teams in pot 1. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
10. England (Difficultly rating: 9)
There's no doubting that both sets of supporters would relish an Auld Enemy derby on the world stage, and Scotland can feel buoyed by the fact that they achieved a well-deserved 0-0 draw the last time they faced them in a major tournament back in the 2021 Euros. However, on the face of it, England have made two of their last major tournament finals and qualified for the World Cup without conceding a goal, winning all eight of their games. | GLYN KIRK Photo: GLYN KIRK
11. France (Difficultly rating: 9)
There's something about France at a major tournament. They always seem to go deep into tournaments, and will be still have the memory of their World Cup final defeat on penalties at Qatar 2022 fresh in their minds. One of the toughest teams Scotland could be drawn against. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
12. Spain (Difficultly rating: 10)
While some will point to Scotland's 2-0 win over Spain at Hampden just a few short years ago, there's no doubting that this current incarnation of the team are an entirely different animal. They have the strongest squad, and the best young talent in the world in Lamine Yamal. Avoid, avoid, avoid. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images