2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Belarus vs Scotland

Belarus host Scotland in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in UEFA Group C. 

Victory would lift Belarus above Scotland into at least third although they can go second if Denmark fail to beat Greece.

Scotland can move into second if they better Denmark’s result, although top spot in the group is possible if they record a win by five goals or more and Greece draw or Denmark beat the Greek by a smaller margin than their result.

 

Team News

Belarus have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 5-1 loss to Greece.

Scotland have no fresh injury concerns to report after their goalless draw against Denmark.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Belarus host Scotland at ZTE Arena, Hungary, on Monday 8 September at 8:45pm CEST (7:45pm BST), live on BBC One Scotland plus BBC Three in the rest of the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Belarus have won one of four previous World Cup Qualifiers against Scotland (W1, D1, L2).
• Scotland avoided defeat in their two previous World Cup Qualifiers away to Belarus (W1, D1), which came in a 1-0 win in June 1997 and 0-0 draw in June 2005.
• Belarus lost their only previous World Cup Qualifier played against Scotland in the month of September (L1), which saw them suffer a 4-1 defeat away in Aberdeen in 1997.
• Belarus have won three of five matches in 2025 across all competitions (W3, L2).
• Scotland have kept clean sheets in their last three World Cup away Qualifiers (W3).

 

Prediction

Considered the whipping boys of this group, Belarus need to reset after a demoralising loss away to Greece in their group-opener because they can’t afford to lose this if want an unlikely chance at realistically a play-off spot at best.

Scotland meanwhile earned a deserved point away to Denmark where both teams were pretty wasteful but cancelled each other out nevertheless, with their meetings against Belarus likely to define the outcome of this group so a more clinical performance is imperative for the Tartan Army.

Although past visits to Belarus have been tight for Scotland, I do think that they’re well-placed this time to get a more routine result if bring the right attitude and final touches.

Prediction: Belarus 0-2 Scotland