Time For Heroes: Scotland Group C Roundup

Scotland's World Cup 2026 Qualifying Campaign So Far

The Perfect Start

Let's face it, it's not been easy being a Scotland fan, and this campaign has been no different.

A respectful and deserved point away in Parken started what has been 'the ultimate dream' for many of the Tartan Army, qualifying for a first Men's World Cup Finals since 1998. To start off at Denmark, a side that very rarely lose at home, and end up taking a point and arguably having the game's best chances was a sign that we it could perhaps be our time. In fact, it was the first time since 2013 that Scotland had taken points away against the top seed in a major tournament qualifying campaign, when we defeated Croatia 1-0.

From a full house in Copenhagen, to a close door stadium in Hungary against Belarus. It was the complete contrast.

Not a perfect Scotland performance but a 2-0 win away from home was happily gained, especially when you consider results away from home against the so called 'lesser opponents' over the years. Belarus proved to be no Kazakhstan or Georgia away.

Four points from the opening two games and Greece, the side many in Scotland predicted to win the group, losing at home to Denmark... Could it perhaps be turning in our favour?

Homeward Bound

Then it was finally Hampden bound in October. Against Greece and Belarus, six points simply had to be the target.

Against Greece, it was nervy and was at times hard to watch. The Tartan Army thought old habits were kicking in again when Konstantinos Tsimikas opened the scoring with half-an-hour to go. To everyone's surprise, the Greece goal woke up the Scotland machine, Ryan Christie getting an equaliser just moments after Tsimikas' opener.

Hampden found it's voice and passion and the Tartan Army believed that the game was ours to win. This belief was rewarded when Lewis Ferguson got his first international goal with 10 minutes left. The game's was ours to hold onto, and when Angus Gunn made an incredible save in injury time, it felt like it might be our night. To put the cherry on top, Lyndon Dykes got the goal that secured the win, to why he decided to stick it so high into the net will remain a mystery, but it for sure counted.

Seven points won, three games played. We were well on our way.

Got Away With It

Impressive was certainly not the word that most fans would use to describe Scotland's win over Belarus just three days later.

The first half was okay, nothing more than that. Che Adams got him name on the scoresheet again after his earlier goal against Belarus in the reverse fixture. Then came the second half, a second half full of long, long VAR checks, disallowed goals for both Belarus and Scotland and Hampden was more nervous than what it perhaps should have been. Thankfully for Scott McTominay, who we perhaps have not seen the best of in Group C so far, but just when we needed him the most, he scored the all-important second goal to give us breathing room, ultimately securing the win.

When it looked as if we were finally safe from any drama, Belarus got one back in the 96th minute, a goal that they more than deserved. Perhaps in the end, Belarus should have got a point at Hampden, but thankfully for the Tartan Army, lady luck for once was on our side. A win and an important one, no matter how bad the performance was.

Ten points from four games. Add to that, Denmark defeating Greece in Copenhagen later in the night. A result that meant Scotland have secured a playoff spot at worst for the fourth qualification group in a row. Plan B has now been secured.

The Dream Is Possible

However, Plan A is still available and is still the most straight forward way to qualify for the USA, Canada and Mexico. What stands in our way is perhaps our hardest month in the qualification group. Greece away in Athens and Denmark at Hampden. Four points will be enough but only if Steve Clarke's side can get a point at worse in Greece and win against the Danes on home soil.

Scotland can win in Athens, we've done it already this year. However, Scotland have got a goalkeeping crisis. Angus Gunn who has been impressive in qualification is out injured, leaving Craig Gordon and Liam Kelly who haven't played a game for their clubs, with Scott Bain being recalled after impressing for Premiership newcomers Falkirk. Who will take the gloves is anyone's guess at this moment, but with the experience of Craig Gordon, he feels the most likely at this moment in time.

Scotland have a chance to make history. A chance to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1998 and a chance to do it at Hampden Park in front of the Tartan Army in Hampden Park.

Scotland have been depived of 'that' moment, a chance to reflect back and say I was there. In the Euro 2024 campaign some will say beating Spain was the moment, but being early on in qualifying and with still important qualifiers to come perhaps the "I was there" moment still yet to come.

They say good things will come to those who wait, hopefully, for the Tartan Army, and for a generation of Scotland fans, maybe that date could be the 18th of November to finally say "I was there".