Group C is the group that contains the 2022 fourth-placed nation (Morocco), the 2022 quarter-finalist with five world titles to its name (Brazil), the European side returning after 28 years of absence (Scotland), and the World Cup debutant (Haiti). The narrative thread that ties it all together is Brazil's hunt for redemption after the 2022 quarter-final exit to Croatia, the first World Cup since 2006 in which Brazil did not reach a semi-final. Morocco arrive as the most decorated African side in World Cup history, the only African or Arab nation ever to reach a semi-final. Scotland end their 28-year absence, the longest gap between World Cups in their proud and frustrated history. Haiti play their second-ever World Cup, half a century after their 1974 debut.
Brazil need this group to be a procession. Anything less than nine points is interpreted as the Tite-era decline continuing into Dorival Junior's tenure. Morocco have made themselves the second-most-recognised African football brand and their second place ambitions are realistic and earned. Scotland have qualified for nine World Cups and have never advanced past the group stage, the longest such streak among regular qualifiers. Haiti are the dark horse for nobody but themselves, but a single point would be national-history material.
Group C runs from 13 June to 24 June. Each team plays the other three once. The top two qualify directly for the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team format. The eight best third-placed finishers across the 12 groups also progress, meaning a competitive third place can still get a side into the knockouts. Detail on how that third-place ranking is calculated is in the 2026 World Cup format guide.
Dorival Junior took over from Fernando Diniz in early 2024 and inherited a generational squad. Vinicius Junior is the focal point at 25, Real Madrid's primary attacking outlet. Rodrygo is the second forward, with Raphinha and Endrick rotating into the front line. Marquinhos remains captain at centre-back. The midfield question is whether Bruno Guimaraes can dominate against high-tempo opposition. The biggest concern is Casemiro's age at 34 and whether he can still cover ground in the engine room. Brazil are the favourites for Group C at very short odds and the second favourite for the tournament behind France.
Walid Regragui retained his role after the 2022 fourth-place run, and the core of that squad is still in place. Hakim Ziyech captains the side from the right wing. Achraf Hakimi at PSG is the world's most attacking full-back. Sofyan Amrabat anchors midfield. Yassine Bounou (Bono) in goal was the player of the tournament in many neutral assessments. The forward line of En-Nesyri, Brahim Diaz (now Spanish-eligible but committed to Morocco) and Ziyech is varied and dangerous. The 4-3-3 with Hakimi pushing high is the tactical identity. Morocco's ceiling in this group is to top it, and they have realistic ambitions to do so.
Steve Clarke's first World Cup as manager after a Euro 2020 group exit and a Euro 2024 group exit. Andy Robertson captains the side from left-back, with Scott McTominay arriving from late midfield and John McGinn organising the press. The forward line is the question: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland are the rotating options, none of whom have established themselves as first-choice in their best club leagues. Tartan Army is the most recognised away support in football and the Scotland atmosphere will travel. Realistic target is third place qualification, with a stretch goal of second.
First World Cup since 1974. Half-a-century gap is among the longest in the format. The captain is Duckens Nazon, the squad relies on French and Belgian lower-division talent plus a handful at MLS clubs. Jean-Eudes Maurice provides veteran experience. The challenge is tactical: Haiti will spend most of every match without the ball and the question is whether they have the defensive discipline to keep games competitive. The Belgian coach (Sebastien Migne) has been organising a 5-4-1 low block that has worked in CONCACAF qualifying but will be tested against Brazil's individual attacking quality.
All six fixtures with date, venue and a link to the full BetBot preview for each one. Every preview includes predicted lineups, captain profile, value tip, anytime goalscorer pick and tactical breakdown.
| 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 | Preview → |
| 24 Jun | Morocco vs Haiti | Atlanta | Preview → |
| 24 Jun | Scotland vs Brazil | Miami | Preview → |
Matchday 1 on 13 June is Brazil vs Morocco in Inglewood and Haiti vs Scotland in Foxborough. Brazil vs Morocco is the biggest first-week game of the entire group stage, a top-eight side facing the 2022 semi-finalist in what is essentially an early Round of 16 preview. Vinicius will operate left of Brazil's front three. Hakimi will push high from right-back as is his trademark. Marquinhos against En-Nesyri in the box is the central duel. Haiti vs Scotland in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium is the home-away-from-home for the Tartan Army's New England diaspora. Scotland are heavy favourites but Haiti's low block can frustrate.
Matchday 2 on 19 June has Brazil vs Haiti in Philadelphia and Scotland vs Morocco at Gillette Stadium Foxborough. Brazil vs Haiti is the most one-sided game on the matchday calendar. Brazil will rest some players for matchday 3 against Scotland. Scotland vs Morocco is the most tactically interesting game of matchday 2, with Hakimi's overlapping runs into the right channel against Robertson's positioning at left-back, two of the world's best in their roles against each other. Whichever side wins on 19 June takes second place in their hands.
Matchday 3 on 24 June is Scotland vs Brazil in Inglewood and Morocco vs Haiti at Gillette Stadium Foxborough. Scotland vs Brazil at SoFi is the dream matchup for the Tartan Army, an away day they have waited 28 years for. Brazil will likely have already qualified by this point and may rotate, opening the door for a Scotland upset that would be among the most romantic results in modern World Cup history. Morocco vs Haiti is Morocco's chance to top the group if Brazil drop points in Inglewood. The Morocco vs Haiti math will be focused on the goal difference required to overtake Brazil.
Brazil to win Group C at 1.40 to 1.45 implied price is the obvious bet but the value is the over 9.5 group-stage Brazil goals at 2.00, given they face Haiti and a Scotland side that has historically conceded against possession-heavy opposition. Morocco at 4.50 for group winner is the second-pick value if Brazil's three-game momentum stutters in matchday 3.
Morocco are the obvious second pick at around 1.50 for top two qualification. The scenario in which Scotland steal second is a Scotland vs Morocco win on 19 June, which is realistic but requires Scotland to break the defensive habits of two decades of group stage exits. The value is Scotland top two at 4.00 or longer.
Third place is a Scotland-Haiti race. Scotland are heavy favourites for the third spot if they finish behind Brazil and Morocco. The key game is Scotland vs Morocco on 19 June, where a Scotland draw plus a Haiti loss in Foxborough sets up the third-place qualification scenario. Haiti finishing third would require an unprecedented giant-killing.
The eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups all qualify for the Round of 32. The ranking is determined first by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then disciplinary record. Four points has historically been enough in groups containing one dominant favourite, three points has been enough in groups with no dominant favourite. For Group C specifically, the realistic third-place threshold is four points.
Vinicius Junior vs Achraf Hakimi is the global headline of matchday 1, two of the world's top five players in their positions on the same pitch. Andy Robertson vs Hakim Ziyech in matchday 2 will be where Scotland either get an upset or get pinned in. Casemiro vs Sofyan Amrabat is the most interesting defensive midfield duel of the group, both 30+ year old anchors of their teams. Marquinhos vs Youssef En-Nesyri is the centre-forward versus captain centre-back matchup that decides Brazil vs Morocco.
SoFi Stadium Inglewood hosts both Brazil vs Morocco and Scotland vs Brazil, the two highest-profile games of the group. Gillette Stadium Foxborough hosts the three games involving Scotland and Morocco, the New England venue likely to have the largest Tartan Army presence on US soil. Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia hosts Brazil vs Haiti in matchday 2.
Group C winner plays a third-place qualifier from Groups B, F or H in the Round of 32. Group C runner-up plays the Group D winner, almost certainly USA. The bracket configuration means a Brazil vs USA Round of 16 is realistic if both teams top their groups.
The full bracket and how the third-place qualifiers slot into the knockout draw is at the 2026 World Cup knockout bracket page. Live bracket updates after each matchday will be at /world-cup-2026.
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