Scotland at the World Cup: Steve Clarke's qualification 'dilemma' ahead of crunch Brazil clash

Steve Clarke has a "dilemma" on his hands ahead of Scotland's game with Brazil on Wednesday with his side walking a qualification tightrope, according to Craig Levein.

A 1-0 defeat by Morocco in their second fixture on Friday night, thanks to Ismael Saibari's strike after 70 seconds, means Clarke's side are third in Group C with three points, but qualification is very much still in their own hands.

A win over Brazil in Miami on Wednesday will guarantee Scotland a place in the knockout stages for the first time at a major tournament.

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However, a victory or even a draw might not be necessary, with Scotland currently sitting second in the standings of those teams occupying third spot in their groups. The top eight third-placed teams will go through to the knockout stages.

That means goal difference could be vital and Levein, who managed Scotland from 2009-2012, thinks Clarke will be inclined to approach the game in a defensive fashion knowing that a narrow loss could still be enough to make it through, while a heavy defeat would likely be devastating to their hopes.

"There is a situation where even if we lose 1-0 in this match then we could still qualify," Levein told Sky Sports News. "It is a bit of a dilemma for Steve actually, whether he plays with his defensive hat on, which I think he probably will, and let's hope that's good enough. If we lose 1-0 I think we will qualify.

"After the Morocco game the key message will certainly be don't lose a goal in first 70 seconds or so - they did exceptionally well to come back from that because that could have been a moment where they folded and that would have been the worst scenario.

"I thought Morocco would be a tougher match than Brazil, this is not one of the great Brazil sides. They have some very good players in their team but they are not invincible. If we can put on a really good, cohesive performance and fight right until the end then we have got a great chance of qualifying for the next round.

"The first game [against Haiti] was a very nervous occasion and the match against Morocco was a big step forward. It was a much better performance and that will help. If we do the same thing again and take another stride forward then we can cause Brazil problems."

What do Scotland need elsewhere to qualify?

It's still early days in the group stage - but there are already some groups where it is clear who Scotland fans will be backing in order to stand the best chance of progressing, should they require to be one of the best third-placed sides in the tournament.

Group A: If Czech Republic fail to beat Mexico and South Korea get at least a point against South Africa, both would finish on two points - leaving Scotland guaranteed a better third-placed spot.

Group B: If Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar draw, the former would finish third - again, behind Scotland in the best-placed rankings, regardless of what they do against Brazil.

Group D: Scots fans would be better off cheering on Australia vs Paraguay, with the South Americans - also on three points - already holding a goal difference worse than Scotland's. A USA draw or better against Turkey would also stop the latter mounting an unlikely comeback from the brink.

Group E: If Germany get at least a draw against Ecuador and the Ivory Coast do likewise against Curacao, Group E will be another that Scotland won't have to worry about finishing behind.

Group F: A Japan win against Sweden would do Scotland the world of good if they lose against Brazil, given the Swedes' neutral goal difference.

What changes will Clarke make?

Clarke made three changes to his starting line-up ahead of the Morocco match and could shuffle things around again at Miami Stadium to bring in fresh legs ahead of what promises to be another sweltering environment for his players.

Levein is hopeful that the Scotland boss has a full complement of players to choose from and thinks the in-game changes made against Morocco show that Clarke can go to his bench and impact the match.

"I would look at the players who have played in the two matches so far and decide whether they can go again and that will be dictated by how they are doing on the training ground," Levein said.

"Steve is not going to let anything slip but maybe there are a couple of players who are feeling things after having played two matches and it might be the case that he needs to rest somebody. But, at this stage, he's not let anything get out of the camp so there doesn't seem to be any problems, so he gets a chance to pick from all his squad.

"The lads fought away right until the end against Morocco, Steve made some changes in the second half that improved us in an attacking sense and it was a much better performance than the first match.

"There's more to come from Scott McTominay, there is more to come from the rest of the lads as well. It requires one almighty push to get past Brazil and then we can all celebrate for three or four weeks!"

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Scotland at the World Cup: Steve Clarke's qualification 'dilemma' ahead of crunch Brazil clash