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Arun - May 28, 2026
World Cup 2026’s Group C looks very straightforward on paper with five-time champions Brazil aiming to reclaim their glory days, alongside 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, a resilient Scotland and minnows Haiti. For all our World Cup 2026 predictions and analysis visit LeagueLane.
Brazil are the clear group favourites and would need a historic collapse to fail to advance. The real story of Group C is the battle for second place between Morocco and Scotland, two sides with very different identities but comparable ambitions.
Morocco are no longer dark horses after their deep run in 2022 and their solid exploits at AFCON 2026. Though Scotland, who earned a dramatic qualification with a generation of talented players, could fight them hard for the second spot.
Haiti are the lowest ranked team in the group by a wide margin; ranked 84th in the world, their mission is to avoid the kind of heavy defeat that damages goal difference while looking for the one moment that could produce a famous result.
Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history with five titles; 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They have appeared at every single World Cup since the competition began in 1930. However, they have not won the tournament since 2002 and have suffered painful exits in recent editions including a 7-1 home defeat to Germany in 2014 and quarter-final exits in 2018 and 2022.
Carlo Ancelotti, aka Don Carlo, is here for the right reasons; a man who made a name for himself through his ability to manage star-studded teams and their egos to enable them to do great things.
The Selecao has quality players with experience in every department. Vinicius Junior arrives in North America in the prime of his career. The young and upcoming talent of Endrick, the never-say-die attitude of Raphinha, and the midfield masterclass of Lucas Paqueta give Brazil an attacking arsenal that few teams in the world can match.
The pressure on Brazil to end their 24-year wait for a title is enormous, and it starts here in Group C. This time they do have every tool to achieve it, and I expect them to top the group and make deep runs into the tournament.
Prediction: This Brazil squad under Carlo Ancelotti is a talented group and I would expect them to top the group in style. Do not be misled by what they do in friendly matches; Don Carlo is a tournament specialist, and we will see expansive football from them when the group stage begins.
No team in the world has seen a rise in stature quite like Morocco with their exploits in the 2022 World Cup campaign. They became the first African nation to reach a semi-final, and when everyone thought it was a one-off, they went on to surprise everyone with an incredible unbeaten run; losing just 1 of 32 matches since the start of 2025.
However, Walid Regragui, the man who masterminded their incredible run through the 2022 World Cup and AFCON, is history. He has been replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi as the new head coach on 5 March 2026. The quick change in leadership so close to a major tournament could affect the way they play, but one must still count on the quality of the squad to squeeze out results.
The opening match against Brazil is their biggest challenge, but also their biggest opportunity. Morocco’s defensive discipline and counter-attacking threat is exactly the profile that causes Brazil problems. A draw there could be the result that defines the entire group.
Prediction: Morocco are an easy pick to finish second in Group C. Their tournament experience, defensive solidity and individual quality make them too good to go out at the group stage.
Scotland are appearing at their World Cup for the first time since 1998 and this will be their ninth overall. They have never advanced beyond the group stage of the World Cup, though they came agonizingly close on several occasions, including being eliminated on goal difference in 1974 and 1982.
This generation of Scotland players sealed qualification dramatically, scoring two stoppage-time goals to beat a quality Danish team and top their UEFA qualifying group.
Steve Clarke has been in the dugout of the Tartan Army for seven years now and has seen the ups and downs. But this generation of players is different and have the experience of playing for some quality European clubs.
Captain Andy Robertson is a stalwart at Liverpool, while Scott McTominay is a valued member of the starting line-up at Napoli. Lawrence Shankland is coming off an incredible season at Hearts, after that narrow title loss to Celtic.
Their World Cup group draw is tough; both Brazil and Morocco are incredibly strong. But I would not count this Scottish side out and I believe they have what it takes to mount an upset. They have an early chance to put three points on the board in the group opener against Haiti on June 13 in Boston.
Prediction: Scotland are a tough team and masters of scrappy matches. Despite the draw being cruel, I will count them as a genuine contender to progress from the group as one of the best third-placed teams.
Haiti are making their second World Cup appearance and the first happened during their glory years back in 1974. At that tournament they were eliminated in the group stage but produced one of its great moments; Emmanuel Sanon’s goal against Italy that ended the Azzurri’s record of never having conceded at a World Cup. Fifty-two years later, they return with a squad ranked 83rd in the world and a genuine sense of national pride.
Haiti qualified for the 2026 World Cup by winning CONCACAF Group C, and this is a great achievement considering they knocked out both Costa Rica and Honduras along the way.
Sebastien Migne is their head coach who inspired this incredible achievement; a very familiar figure in Africa having managed the national teams of Congo, Kenya and Equatorial Guinea, and most recently served as an assistant to Rigobert Song at Cameroon.
While Haiti are an athletic and direct counter-attacking team, the squad is way behind the remaining three sides in Group C both in individual talent and big-match experience. It will be a massive achievement for them even if they manage to earn one point from their three matches.
Prediction: Haiti’s record against teams outside the Caribbean is nothing to write home about. With the likes of Brazil, Morocco and Scotland in the mix, I do not see them finishing anywhere other than the foot of Group C.
13 June – Brazil vs Morocco – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
The headline fixture of Group C. If Morocco can earn a draw, the group becomes genuinely open.
13 June – Haiti vs Scotland – Gillette Stadium, Boston
Scotland’s most winnable fixture. A win here is essential for their knockout ambitions.
19 June – Scotland vs Morocco – Gillette Stadium, Boston
The second-place decider. Scotland need at least a draw to stay in contention.
24 June – Scotland vs Brazil – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Scotland’s defining match. Brazil have nothing to lose; Scotland have everything to play for.
As I mentioned in the intro, Brazil are too good a team and they will come to life under Carlo Ancelotti when the tournament kicks off. They are well poised to finish at the top of Group C without breaking sweat.
The dangerous Morocco are a close second, though they might have lost some teeth with the departure of Walid Regragui.
Scotland are no mugs and they could make life difficult for anyone on their day. But their poor record in the group stages of major tournaments tips them to settle for third spot.
As for Haiti, it will be a great achievement even to earn a point from their group games. However, I can hardly see this happening.
To summarize, Group C is Brazil’s to win and Morocco and Scotland follow them.
Group C Team Profiles
Read our full team profiles for every side in Group C: Brazil · Morocco · Scotland · Haiti. All our World Cup 2026 predictions and analysis are available on LeagueLane.
