Ross McCormack: Scotland's World Cup future "hinges" on crucial Haiti opener

Ross McCormack believes that Scotland's Group C opener against Haiti will be vital to their World Cup prospects this summer.

The anticipation is building as Steve Clarke's men prepare for their first appearance at international football's showpiece competition in almost 30 years.

Pitched into a group alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, former Scotland international McCormack is under no illusions regarding the importance of Saturday's meeting with the latter.

Haiti are 83rd in the world in FIFA's official rankings and, on paper, present Scotland's best chance of getting a win on the board in the groups, priced at 4/7 to take all three points.

Speaking exclusively to bet365 at the talkSPORT Padel World Cup, McCormack: “It could be done in the first game, couldn’t it?”

“I think it all hinges on that because Morocco and Brazil are going to be tough for sure. You’ve got to beat Haiti in the first game."

48 teams will compete at this summer's transatlantic showpiece and the resulting restructuring of the tournament sees eight third-placed teams from the group stages earn a place in the knockout rounds.

Third-placed sides are then ranked, firstly on points, secondly on goal difference; victory providing nations a good chance of charting a passage into the round of 32.

“If you win the first game, that relaxes you. And, I’ll tell you what, looking ahead, if Scotland do get out of the group then there are going to be a lot of teams that don’t want to play them," McCormack continued.

“In a one-off game, Scotland are dangerous."

• Scotland's World Cup Top Goalscorer odds

If Scotland do finish third in their group, mapping their potential route through the tournament becomes difficult, however, should Clarke's side finish either first or second then figuring out their next opponent becomes easier.

Finishing runner-up in Group C will set up a round of 32 clash with the winner of Group F where the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia are set to contest a wide-open set of fixtures.

This group looks like it could throw up any result, however, at 8/11, the Netherlands are odds-on to finish in front.

Optimistic Tartan Army members will be willing their side on to top the group. This will set up a round of 32 clash with the runner-up in Group F where -- assuming Netherlands finish top -- either Japan or Sweden are potential opposition.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.