Scotland vs Brazil FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Score. Neymar is not in the starting XI for the crucial Group C clash

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil currently sit atop the standings with four points from their opening two games. The five-time world champions started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco before responding with a 3-0 win over Haiti. While Brazil occupied first place entering the final round of fixtures, their qualification to the Round of 32 is not yet mathematically secured.

The equation for the Selecao remains straightforward. A win or draw against Scotland guarantees progress and secures the top spot in Group C. Even a defeat does not necessarily eliminate Brazil, but it creates an uncomfortable reliance on other results and goal difference calculations, a scenario that Ancelotti wants to avoid.

Scotland came with a different kind of pressure. Steve Clarke’s side returned to the World Cup stage for the first time since France 1998 after ending a 28-year absence from the tournament. Their qualification campaign culminated in a dramatic victory over Denmark in November 2025, securing Scotland’s return to football’s biggest stage.

Now they stand on the verge of making even more history. Scotland have qualified for eight previous World Cups but have never progressed beyond the opening phase. After beating Haiti 1-0 and suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Morocco, Clarke’s side remain firmly in contention heading into the final group game.

A win against Brazil would guarantee qualification and could give Scotland first place if results elsewhere fall in their favour. A draw would move them to four points and is widely expected to be enough to advance as one of the strongest third-placed teams in the tournament.

The biggest pre-match storyline centered on Neymar. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has yet to feature at this World Cup after dealing with a calf injury, but Ancelotti confirmed after the victory in Haiti that the 34-year-old will be available again. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has been training fully this week and could make his first appearance in the tournament from the start or off the bench.

Brazil were also forced into an attacking reshuffle after Raphinha suffered a hamstring injury against Haiti. The Barcelona winger has been ruled out, adding to the spotlight on Neymar’s potential return alongside Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha.

The fixture also renewed a long-running World Cup rivalry. Brazil and Scotland have met four times previously in the tournament, with the Selecao winning each encounter. Their most famous meeting took place in the opening game of the 1998 World Cup, when Brazil cruised to a 2-1 victory over France.

Weather can be an additional factor. Thunderstorms are forecast in parts of Florida, and FIFA’s lightning safety protocol could cause delays if strikes are spotted near the stadium. France’s match against Iraq earlier this week was suspended for more than two hours under the same regulations.

With Neymar back, Scotland chasing history, and qualification still on the line, the final chapter of Group C promises to be one of the most compelling nights of the tournament so far.