Levi Rothermund
Win at Hampden would put Scotland on course for World Cup play-off
Scotland can book a spot in the World Cup play-offs by the end of Sunday if they beat Belarus at Hampden.
The fixture is scheduled for Sunday, 12 October 2025, kick-off 17:00 BST.
Simple arithmetic, big stakes
Scotland’s win in Athens earlier this week means a triumph over Belarus would take them to 10 points from four qualifiers. That result would immediately alter the fate of the other contenders in Group C.
If Greece lose away to Denmark on Sunday — a meeting after their 3-0 defeat in Athens in September — the Greeks would be unable to reach the top two and would drop to third in the group. Denmark would be level on 10 points with Scotland but ahead on goal difference, leaving the two to fight for top spot in November.
On the other hand, a Greek draw or win in Copenhagen would keep them in the race and could allow Steve Clarke’s side to overtake the Danes at the summit.
Top spot or a play-off route
A first men’s World Cup since 1998 would be within reach if Scotland finish top of the section. Still, finishing second is far from a dead end.
All 12 group runners-up, together with the four best Nations League group winners who do not finish in the top two of their qualifying groups, will be placed into four play-off paths. Each path contains two one-legged semi-finals — the seeded team hosting — followed by a one-legged final to decide a World Cup place.
There are other practical reasons Scotland may end up in the play-offs. Using last season’s Champions League groups as a guide, 10 points would have guaranteed first place in only three of eight groups. The encouraging finding is that 10 points would have been enough for second in every group.
Goal difference also matters. Denmark already have a five-goal advantage over Scotland, which could be decisive if the pair finish level on points.
Remaining fixtures and route
Scotland host Belarus in Glasgow on 12 October, then travel to Greece before the final group game at Hampden against Denmark. Denmark still have two home matches to play, including one against Belarus, which gives them a favourable schedule.
Who currently sit second
For context, here are teams that are currently in second place across other qualifying sections (as reported):
- Northern Ireland (level with third-placed Germany after two games)
- Kosovo (after two games)
- SCOTLAND
- Iceland (after two games)
- Georgia (level on points with third-placed Turkey after two games)
- Armenia (after two games)
- Poland (level with third-placed Finland after five games)
- Bosnia-Herzegovina (after six games)
- Italy (level with third-placed Israel after four games)
- Belgium (level with third-placed Wales after four games)
- Albania (after five games)
- Czech Republic (level on points with first-placed Croatia after six games)
Whatever happens on 12 October, Scotland have set up a decisive run-in. A win at Hampden would not guarantee qualification to North America next summer but it would give the team a clear path — either to top spot or into the play-offs where a place at the World Cup can still be won.