Scotland meet Greece in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in UEFA Qualifying Group C.
Victory could see Scotland move top of the qualifying group if better Denmark’s result away to Belarus, whilst Greece likewise can go top with a win if Denmark slip up.
Team News
Scotland have a full squad available for selection, although Max Johnston was a late addition to strengthen Steve Clarke’s defensive options.
Greece too have no fresh injury concerns with a full squad available for selection.
When is Kick-Off?
Scotland host Greece on Thursday 9 October at Hampden Park, Glasgow, in a 7:45pm BST kick-off, live on BBC1 Scotland and BBC2 in rest of UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Scotland’s first FIFA World Cup qualifier against Greece.
- Greece are playing away to Scotland for the first time in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier, but have won one of two previous trips in all competitions (W1, L1).
- Three of Scotland’s four previous meetings against Greece in all competitions were settled by 1-0 results, of which the Tartan Army won two of those three particular games.
- Scotland are yet to concede in this qualifying group (W1, D1).
- Christos Tzolis has scored in Greece’s last two away matches in all competitions without conceding (W2).
Prediction
Having kept two clean sheets in last month’s qualifiers which saw them held away to Denmark then grinded out a clinical win over Belarus, Scotland can come into their first home qualifier of the campaign with renewed defensive confidence but they know that Greece won’t be easy to quieten.
Greece meanwhile will have happy memories from their last trip here which saw them cruise to a 3-0 victory in March’s UEFA Nations League Play-Off tie, but they’re now returning off the back of a bruising 3-0 home loss to Denmark – who are their next away opposition on Sunday.
This month’s qualifiers therefore do feel season-defining for Greece because if they lose both games and Scotland beat Belarus on Sunday, they can forget any qualification hopes so a strong performance is absolutely imperative.
I however do think that Scotland will of learned from March’s defensive disaster and be able to snatch a draw this time round.
Prediction: Scotland 1-1 Greece
Result: Scotland 3-1 Greece