World Cup 2026Group CTeams, Fixtures & Odds

Brazil arrive under Carlo Ancelotti with an attack-heavy 4-2-4/4-3-3 that recorded 19 fast-break shots in 11 matches per Opta, but the two-man midfield of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes carries limited defensive cover. Rodrygo (ACL), Eder Militao, and Estevao are all out. Neymar — returning from an October 2023 ACL injury — carries a Grade 2 calf strain and is expected to miss the opener, targeting June 19 as a return. Vinicius Junior has around 8 goals in 43 caps per Al Jazeera, well below his club output. Brazil's CONMEBOL run finished 5th on 28 points (unverified) and cost the previous manager his job.

Morocco bring a perfect qualifying record: 8 wins from 8, 22 scored, 2 conceded. Captain Achraf Hakimi played 120 minutes of PSG's Champions League final on May 30 and is fit. Brahim Diaz (AFCON 2025 Golden Boot, 5 goals) leads the attack. New coach Mohamed Ouahbi — who replaced Walid Regragui in March 2026 having never managed at senior level before winning the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup — cut Youssef En-Nesyri, Hakim Ziyech, and Sofiane Boufal; 23 of 26 outfield players are under 30. The ceiling is real; the unknown is a first-time senior manager's opening tournament.

Scotland end a 28-year World Cup exile. Steve Clarke's 4-2-3-1 runs through Scott McTominay at No.10, Andy Robertson at left back, and Lawrence Shankland — PFA Scotland Player of the Year, 20 club goals — up front. Pre-tournament results of 4-1 over Curacao and 4-0 over Bolivia showed eight goals scored, but Opta notes Scotland posted the lowest expected-goals differential of any UEFA qualifier. Billy Gilmour (tournament-ending knee injury, May 30) is a genuine midfield loss.

Haiti hold a 15.8% advancement probability — the lowest of all 48 teams per Opta. Their last World Cup appearance was 1974. Their realistic ceiling is a first point in 52 years, most likely against Scotland on June 20.

Brazil top in 60.2% of Opta simulations, Morocco in 28.6% — the top-two picture is largely settled. Scotland's 65.6% advancement probability relies on the best-third route, where eight third-placed sides advance under the expanded format. The path: beat Haiti on June 20, then rank among the best eight third-placed finishers. A dropped result against Haiti requires an outright upset to survive. Haiti's only route runs through that same fixture.

Brazil vs Morocco, June 13, Atlanta (venue unverified) determines the group order. Brazil open without Neymar; Morocco have Hakimi fit from a Champions League final. Opta's 28.6% chance of Morocco topping the group resolves here — a Morocco result opens a race for first place, a comfortable Brazil win settles it early. Scotland vs Haiti, June 20, Houston (venue unverified) is the pivotal match for both sides: Scotland need a win to keep best-third hopes alive, and it is Haiti's best shot at a first point in 52 years.