Scotland, back at a World Cup after 28 years and with a Round of 32 spot still in reach, face Morocco, the 2022 semi-finalists whose Achraf Hakimi remains one of the world's elite full-backs. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough hosts on a Friday evening US East Coast.
Why: Morocco have the deeper squad. Hakimi (PSG), Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United loanee), Hakim Ziyech, Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), En-Nesyri (West Ham). Scotland have McTominay (Napoli), Robertson (Liverpool), Tierney (Arsenal) but the depth gap is real. Bookmaker price of 1.85 reflects the favorite status; the +13% edge holds because Morocco's 2022 semi-final pedigree adds confidence.
Hakimi is the world's elite attacking full-back. His PSG 2025-26 season produced 4 Ligue 1 goals and 6 assists. He takes Morocco's penalties. Against Scotland's deep block, the late run from right-back into the box is the typical pattern. Anytime price 3.50.
Amrabat is one of Europe's most-carded midfielders. He picked up 11 Premier League yellows in 25 starts at Manchester United. Against Scotland's McTominay and McGinn in central midfield, the foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.30.
The match is at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Built in 2002 as the home of the NFL's New England Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution, capacity 65,000.
Gillette hosts seven matches at the 2026 World Cup. Boston's diverse community will support both sides.
Scotland's last World Cup was 1998 in France. They have qualified for nine World Cups historically but never advanced past the group stage. The 28-year wait ends at 2026.
Steve Clarke, the long-time coach, took Scotland through Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 qualification before securing the 2026 World Cup spot. His tactical approach is pragmatic 3-4-3 with McTominay's late runs the main offensive weapon.
Something cool: Scotland's Scott McTominay joined Napoli from Manchester United in summer 2024 and scored 12 Serie A goals in his debut Italian season. He has been Scotland's leading qualifying scorer for two consecutive campaigns.
Morocco have qualified for seven World Cups. Their 2022 campaign in Qatar was the most remarkable: fourth place finish (the best ever by an African or Arab nation), beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals.
Walid Regragui, the manager who delivered the 2022 semi-final, continues at the helm. His tactical setup is 4-3-3 with Hakimi pushing high at right-back, Amrabat anchoring midfield and Ziyech providing creative width.
Something cool: Morocco's 2022 semi-final run was the first by any African nation in World Cup history. They beat Spain on penalties in the Round of 16, then beat Portugal 1-0 in the quarter-finals. France stopped them in the semi-final.
Robertson has been Scotland captain since 2019. Club career: Queen's Park to Dundee United to Hull City to Liverpool since 2017. Multiple Premier League titles, 2019 Champions League winner.
His attacking full-back style has been a defining feature of Liverpool's Premier League and Champions League success.
Captaining at his first World Cup, leading Scotland's first global tournament appearance in 28 years. The opportunity to write a generational story is enormous.
Hakimi took the Morocco captaincy in 2024 after Romain Saiss' international retirement. Club journey: Real Madrid academy to Borussia Dortmund (loan) to Inter Milan to PSG since 2021. Multiple Ligue 1 titles.
His attacking right-back style is the modern template. Pace, crossing, set pieces, late runs into the box. He has 10 international goals from the right-back position.
Captaining at his third World Cup. The 2022 semi-final run made him a national icon.
Scotland qualified through UEFA playoffs after finishing second in their qualifying group. McTominay scored 6 in qualifying.
Morocco qualified through CAF with 7 wins from 8. En-Nesyri led scoring with 5. Their pre-tournament friendlies have been strong: 4 wins from 5.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun | Brazil vs Morocco | East Rutherford | Preview → |
| 13 Jun | Haiti vs Scotland | Foxborough | Preview → |
| 19 Jun | Brazil vs Haiti | Philadelphia | Preview → |
| 19 Jun | Scotland vs Morocco | Foxborough | This page |
| 24 Jun | Morocco vs Haiti | Atlanta | Preview → |
| 24 Jun | Scotland vs Brazil | Miami | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group C overview →
Steve Clarke's Scotland play a 3-4-3 with Robertson pushing high as a left wing-back, McTominay as the late-arriving attacking midfielder, and Gilmour anchoring midfield. Shankland leads the line with Doak on the right providing pace.
Walid Regragui's Morocco play a 4-3-3 with Amrabat deep, Hakimi pushing high at right-back, Ziyech and Brahim Diaz combining centrally, and En-Nesyri leading the line. The shape is similar to what produced the 2022 semi-final run.
The key tactical battle: Hakimi vs Scotland's left side. Morocco's elite full-back will push high constantly. Robertson at left wing-back will be pulled back into defensive duties, neutralising Scotland's main attacking outlet.
Morocco target topping the group and replicating the 2022 deep run. The Scotland match is critical for confirming top spot.
Scotland need a draw or win here to keep Round of 32 hopes alive. Their first World Cup in 28 years has a realistic best-third path with 4+ points.
Friday 19 June 2026 at 18:00 ET (00:00 CEST Saturday 20 June). Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Left-back Andy Robertson (Liverpool), captain since 2019. Multiple Premier League titles, 2019 Champions League winner.
Right-back Achraf Hakimi (PSG), captain since 2024. The world's elite attacking full-back.
Historic. Fourth place finish, the best by any African or Arab nation in World Cup history. Beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals.
28 years. Their last World Cup was 1998 in France. They have qualified for nine World Cups historically without ever reaching the knockout stage.
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