Scotland will discover their World Cup 2026 qualifying group opponents this week, with the draw for the set to take place on Friday in Zurich.
It has been close to three decades since the Tartan Army were last at a World Cup, and Steve Clarke and his squad will be desperate to return to the world’s premiere football tournament for the first time since 1998.
Qualification for back-to-back European Championships, coupled with memorable wins over Spain, Norway and Croatia, have given Scotland fans hope that they can finally end their World Cup exile and seal their place at the 2026 tournament, which is set to take place across USA, Canada and Mexico.
With the draw for the European section of the qualifiers soon to be revealed, Scotland have been placed in pot three of the draw, where they will be drawn against one nations from pot one, one from pot two, one from pot four, and potentially one from pot five.
But who would be the best - and worst - teams for Scotland to be drawn against based on form and recent history? We rank all 41 of Scotland’s potential qualifying opponents, from most attractive to most difficult.
9. Luxembourg - pot 4
Despite being of the lowest ranked nations in the draw, Luxembourg have shown some improvement in recent years. Their 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland showed they can be dangerous. While they didn't to win a single game in their Nations League group, only one team beat them by more than one goal. Scotland would be favourites, but they're a tougher opponent than they would be in years gone by. Last 6 games: W0, D3, L3. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Faroe Islands - pot 4
One of the smallest nations in Europe, the Faroes have lost just two of their last six games and finished third in group C of their Nations League. That said, Scotland should still ease past them in a World Cup qualifier. Last 6 games: W1, D3, L2. | Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Ima
11. Kazakhstan - pot 4
While nightmares of the 3-0 defeat during the Alex McLeish rein may still linger, Kazakhstan are on a disastrous run of form that has saw them lose their last five matches, without scoring a goal. Should Scotland be pitted against them though, they must be wary. Kazakhstan did manage to pull of an impressive 0-0 draw against Erling Haaland and Norway in September. Last 6 games: W0, D1, L5. | Getty Images
12. Estonia - pot 4
Estonia were able to avoid relegation to League D in the Nations League after securing third place in Group C1. While they picked up just four points from six games, they were pitted against Sweden and Slovakia in a tough group. Not the worst side in pot four, but a team Scotland will feel they can take six points from should they draw them in the World Cup qualifiers. Last 6 games: W1, D1, L4. | AFP via Getty Images