A. Ralston

Scotland arrive at the 2026 World Cup carrying the romance of a nation that famously immortalised their qualifying golazo on a 20-pound banknote, and with the stability of a manager whose contract has just been renewed. That continuity matters, but our AI model is unsentimental: it puts Scotland's title chances at effectively 0.0%, with just a 0.2% shot at reaching the semi-finals and no realistic path to the final. This is a side built to compete and frustrate rather than to conquer.

The spine carries genuine quality. Scott McTominay has been outstanding at Napoli with 10 goals and 3 assists (7.06 rating), the kind of box-to-box threat that prompted Thiago Silva to warn that Brazil and Ancelotti must keep an eye on him. Kieran Tierney offers a 7.28 rating from defence at Celtic with 6 goals and 8 assists, while Tommy Conway (13 goals, 5 assists at Middlesbrough) and George Hirst (11 goals at Ipswich) give attacking options, with Lawrence Shankland also tipped to lead the line.

Drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland face the toughest possible test simply to escape the group. The most realistic ambition is a competitive showing and perhaps a place in the knockout rounds, where the depth of the elite nations would likely prove decisive. Expect spirit, set-piece danger and McTominay-driven moments, but a deep run would be a genuine surprise.