2026-27 UEFA Nations League: League B1 – North Macedonia vs Scotland

North Macedonia face a difficult test against Scotland in League B1 of 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.

Victory would lift North Macedonia off the foot of the group and up to third at Scotland’s expense, whilst Scotland can go second with a win if Slovenia lose to Switzerland.

 

Team News

North Macedonia have no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad in contention for selection after their 2-0 loss away to Slovenia.

Scotland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 3-0 loss to Switzerland.

Jack Hendry however is suspended after he was sent off in the 11th minute during that match.

 

When is Kick-Off?

North Macedonia host Scotland at Tose Proeski Arena, Skopje, on Saturday 3 October at 8:45pm CEST (7:45pm BST), live on BBC Scotland, BBC Two (England/Northern Ireland/Wales) and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is North Macedonia’s first Nations League meeting against Scotland.
• Scotland have won one of their two previous visits to North Macedonia in all competitions (W1, L1).
• North Macedonia are winless in their last 10 matches across all competitions (D5, L5), although they kept clean sheets in four of their five draws in that period.
• Scotland are still yet to score under Sebastien Pocognoli.

 

Prediction

Without a win in this group, this is now must win for North Macedonia because a defeat coupled with Slovenia avoiding a loss against Switzerland would leave them with everything to do in their last three matches.

Scotland likewise are in a similar position despite having one point to their name because they were just outplayed by Switzerland, as evidenced by just two shots and no attempts on target which is atrocious for a team that were at the World Cup just a few months ago.

Both teams therefore need to buckle up and knuckle down because this has the hallmarks of psychological first blood in a pair of relegation six-pointers – with the return leg to come on 13 November, but Scotland realistically have the better firepower to snatch this if they can sort themselves out.

Prediction: North Macedonia 0-1 Scotland