Scotland continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a friendly against Ivory Coast.
This match represents the last chance for Scotland and Ivory Coast players to impress their managers ahead of the World Cup squad announcements in May.
Team News
Scotland have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-0 loss against Japan.
Ivory Coast too have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 4-0 friendly victory against Ivory Coast, in which Yan Diomande and Ange-Yoan Bonny were absent after they withdrew due to injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Scotland host Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, on Tuesday 31 March at 7:30pm GMT, live on BBC Scotland, BBC Two (in England and Wales) and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Scotland’s first-ever meeting against Ivory Coast.
- Ivory Coast have won just one of five international friendly matches played on European soil this decade (W1, D1, L3)
- Scotland are looking to avoid going two matches without a goal for the first time since March 2024, which saw them lose 4-0 to Netherlands then 1-0 to Northern Ireland.
- Ivory Coast’s nine goals in 2026 have all been scored by nine different goalscorers.
Prediction
Coming into this match off the back of a pretty reserved performance in which they started both halves on the front foot yet seemed to dissipate in quality as each half wore on, but they at least made Japan work to grind out their winner over them with a stubborn defensive effort.
Ivory Coast meanwhile comfortably dispatched South Korea and their goalscoring record underlines their depth which is a huge positive for any team, but this will be bit of a trip into the unknown given that this is their first meeting against Scotland.
With that in mind and the fact that it is being played in Liverpool, I expect both teams to treat this as a proper tournament-style game on neutral territory ahead of the World Cup but Ivory Coast realistically could have the edge unless Scotland bring more grit and fight.
Prediction: Scotland 1-2 Ivory Coast
Result: Scotland 0-1 Ivory Coast