Scotland top Group C at the World Cup after their first match at the 2026 World Cup.
The national team claimed their first win since the 1990 World Cup as they triumphed 1-0 over Haiti. John McGinn's strike was the difference for Scotland.
As it stands, Scotland top Group C on three points with Brazil and Morocco on one point each after they drew on Saturday. Haiti are bottom with zero points after the first round of fixtures.
Here's everything you need to know about how Scotland can qualify from the group stage...
What are FIFA guidelines on World Cup knockout stage qualification?
FIFA’s official guidelines on qualification from the group stage read as follows: “Every team will face each of their group opponents once, with three points awarded for a win and one apiece for a draw.
“The two teams with the most points in each group will progress to the Round of 32, where they will be joined by the eight best third-placed sides.”
What does that mean for Scotland?
Well, Scotland know that they will be straight through to the last 32 if they finish first or second in Group C.
Realistically, few will have Scotland tipped to top the group with Brazil and Morocco the other national teams in the four-team group alongside Haiti.
However, finishing second or third is another avenue into the knockout stage. The simpler being finishing second. The third route would mean advancing as the best-placed third-placed team.
How could Scotland advance in third?
If Scotland finish third, then they'd need to better the points and/or goal difference of four of the other third-placed finishers in the World Cup.
According to Scotland's Coefficient, Scotland would have a 99.5 per cent chance of progressing beyond the group stage with four points, which would mean one win and one draw, However, it is possible, even if unlikely, to finish bottom of a group with four points.
If Scotland were to finish with three points and a plus two goal difference, then they'd have a 99 per cent chance to advance. Even an even goal difference of zero and three points, and it'd be a 96 per cent chance to go through.
If you finish third with three points and a minus-three goal difference, then it's a 50 per cent shot at progression.
Victory over Haiti means Scotland will have three points at the very least and a 50 per cent chance at progression even if they were to lose 2-0 to both Morocco and Brazil.
Should Scotland pick up a point against either Brazil or Morocco then the odds of missing out on progressing in the tournament would be miniscule.
