Who can Scotland face in World Cup 2026 draw? Dream and nightmare scenario revealed | OneFootball

Scotland are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998

The 2026 World Cup draw takes place this Friday in Washington, D.C, and Scotland are involved,

Teams from Africa, Asia, and the Americas can't be drawn into the same group as another team from their confederation, and none of the USA, Mexico or Canada can be drawn with the Concacaf qualifiers, which so far are Haiti, Curacao, and Panama.

Standard Sport takes a look at Scotland’s dream and nightmare scenarios ahead of Friday’s draw...

Scotland, who have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, could face reigning champions Argentina and either Croatia or Morocco in the same group in what would be considered a nightmare scenario.

Scotland took on Brazil at the 1998 World Cup

AFP via Getty Images

Argentina finished comfortably clear at the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers, while Croatia qualified unbeaten for their fourth successive World Cup and Morocco are arguably the strongest African nation at the tournament.

Italy must successfully negotiate a UEFA second round play-off to reach the World Cup. The Azzurri may no longer be the force they once were, but they would be a team to avoid from Pot 4.

In what would be considered a dream scenario, Scotland would fancy their chances against host nation Canada from Pot 1, Australia from Pot 2 and potentially New Caledonia from Pot 4 should they beat Jamaica and DR Congo in the inter-confederation play-off.

Dream scenario for Scotland

Canada, Australia, Scotland, New Caledonia (if they win their inter-confederation play-off)

Nightmare scenario for Scotland

Argentina, Morocco, Scotland, Italy (if they win their UEFA play-off)