World Cup Group C Preview: Teams, fixtures, key players & odds

Jaquob Crooke Updated: 21 minutes ago

Scotland will be looking to advance to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time when they encounter five-time winners Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Haiti.

Brazil, Morocco and Scotland were also drawn together in the 1998 edition of the World Cup, which was coincidentally the Tartan Army's last appearance in the tournament.

Teams

Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Fixtures

Date	Fixture	Kick-off (BST)	Stadium
13th June	Brazil v Morocco	23:00	MetLife Stadium
14th June	Haiti v Scotland	02:00	Gilette Stadium
19th June	Scotland v Morocco	23:00	Gilette Stadium
20th June	Brazil v Haiti	01:30	Lincoln Financial Field
24th June	Morocco v Haiti	23:00	Hard Rock Stadium
24th June	Scotland v Brazil	23:00	Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Brazil

Brazil laboured to World Cup qualification as they finished fifth in the CONMEBOL table, 10 points adrift of rivals Argentina who topped the standings.

The Seleção's underwhelming form prompted the sacking of Dorival Junior in March 2025 and for the first time in the nation's history, the Brazilian FA have turned to a permanent foreign head coach in the shape of Carlo Ancelotti.

Despite the immense weight of expectation, Ancelotti's appointment has renewed enthusiasm as Brazil look to end their 24-year trophy drought.

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti

One of the most decorated managers will lead the world's most famous nation and grace the World Cup for the first time and as Carlo Ancelotti looks to orchestrate Brazil's first triumph since 2002.

The 65-year-old will be hoping to join Marcello Lippi and Vicente del Bosque in becoming the third coach to win the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League/European Cup.

Key Player

Vinicius Junior

It's been a tumultuous season for Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, but he remains Brazil's talisman and a world-class operator.

Ancelotti got the best out of Vini Jr during his second stint in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu and the winger can flourish once again as the Italian's main man.

Breakout player

Rayan

A wildcard inclusion in Ancelotti's squad, Rayan's development from Vasco da Gama prodigy into the Premier League's next superstar has been mesmerising.

Purchased by Bournemouth for £24.7m in January, the dynamic winger made a seamless transition into English football and his form warranted international recognition as he made his Brazil debut against Croatia in April.

Odds

To win group – 1/4
To qualify – 1/100

The last time Brazil failed to finish top of their group at a World Cup was in 1978 under the previous format where two points were awarded for a win.

To say it would be a travesty if Brazil failed to advance to the knockout stages is an understatement.

Morocco

Morocco were the surprise package of the 2022 World Cup as they eliminated Spain and Portugal on their path to the semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions return for the latest edition of the tournament as one of AFCON's most dangerous representatives after a flawless qualification campaign, but there's a degree of uncertainty concerning how they might perform following the resignation of head coach Walid Regragui.

Manager

Mohamed Ouahbi

Regragui's shock resignation three months before the World Cup left the Moroccan FA scrambling and Mohamed Ouahbi is the coach who will lead the Atlas Lions in North America.

Ouahbi guided the country to victory at the Under-20 World Cup last year and he follows the same path of his predecessor Regragui after previously managing the Under-23 side.

Key player

Achraf Hakimi

Morocco's skipper, Achraf Hakimi has evolved into one of the most complete right-backs during an extremely fruitful stint with Paris Saint-Germain which has witnessed him become a two-time UEFA Champions League winner whilst in the French capital.

Hakimi overcame a thigh injury in the latter stages of the season to feature in the UEFA Champions League final win over Arsenal and his presence will be vital for Morocco from both an attacking and defensive perspective.

Breakout player

Ayyoub Bouaddi

When finding out a player has opted to play for Morocco rather than France, the first thought might be that they weren’t good enough for the latter. On the contrary, France courted Ayyoub Bouaddi to represent Les Bleus, with the youngster opting to play for Morocco.

A strong ball carrier and excellent ball winner with plenty of dynamism, Bouaddi is set for a move away from Lille either this summer or next, although Lille president Olivier Letang insisted it would require a fee of at least €50m to prise him from the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Odds

To win group – 7/2
To qualify – 1/8

Morocco are second favourites to win Group C and odds-on to qualify for the knockout stages.

Controversially declared winners of last year's Africa Cup of Nations after Senegal had their victory overturned, Morocco boast a great wealth of tournament experience which should stand them in good stead this summer.

Haiti

Haiti are set to make their second appearance at a World Cup and their first since 1974.

Finishing second in behind Curacao in CONCACAF Group C, Haiti were victorious against Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the third-round qualifying section to seal their passage to the tournament.

The national team will be hoping to provide some joy in a period of political instability and ongoing conflict in the country.

Manager

Sebastien Migne

The mastermind behind Haiti's qualification for the World Cup, Sebastien Migne has moulded Les Grenadiers into a dangerous transitional side and has got the results to boot.

The French coach previously had managerial spells in charge of Congo and Kenya where he honed his craft, before taking charge of Haiti in June 2024 - although he is still yet to set foot in the country, with Haiti playing their home matches on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.

Key player

Duckens Nazon

Fans of Coventry City, Oldham Athletic and St Mirren will all be aware of Duckens Nazon.

Haiti's all-time leading goalscorer with 44 goals, the veteran striker scored six goals on loan at Coventry whilst the Sky Blues were in League Two and netted six goals in 16 appearances for Oldham in League One during the same season.

Nazon subsequently had spells in Belgium, Scotland, Bulgaria, Turkey and now Iran, where he's been a consistent source of goals throughout.

Breakout player

Ruben Providence

On Haiti's left-flank is the dazzling Ruben Providence, who was on Paris Saint-Germain's books for five years before graduating from Roma's academy in 2021.

He failed to make an appearance for the Italian giants before joining TSV Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga in 2023. Providence had a trial with Swansea City before joining Almere City in 2024, where he played a key part in their promotion charge this campaign.

A winger that loves to take on his defender, Providence boasts explosive pace and intricate footwork which makes him an extremely exciting player to watch.

Odds

To win group – 100/1
To qualify – 7/1

Haiti are one of the major underdogs at this summer's World Cup and their odds suggest they have a 12.5% probability of qualifying from the group stages.

Scotland

Scotland are set to appear in their first World Cup since 1998 and Steve Clarke's side will be desperate to ensure their tournament isn't as fleeting as the Tartan Army's previous appearances on the global stage.

Scotland were pitted in a tough group which featured Denmark and Greece, but Clarke's men conquered the Danes in a thrilling 4-2 victory at Hampden Park to seal top spot and their passage to the World Cup.

Manager

Steve Clarke

No manager in Scotland's history has led the nation to more major tournaments as Clarke prepares for the World Cup after appearances at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

Clarke's position was scrutinised following a disappointing showing at Euro 2024, but the former West Brom and Kilmarnock boss defied his critics to orchestrate Scotland's progression to the World Cup.

His reward is a new contract, with Clarke extending his current deal through to the 2030 World Cup.

Key player

Scott McTominay

Overlooked and underestimated at Manchester United, Scott McTominay has evolved into a midfield powerhouse whilst at Napoli.

Key in their Scudetto success, McTominay's progression in Naples has also been felt by the national team with the 29-year-old growing into an indispendable figure in Clarke's XI.

You only have to glance at his astonishing overhead kick against Denmark at Hampden to appreciate his match-winning talent.

Breakout player

Findlay Curtis

A productive loan spell at Kilmarnock was impeccably timed by Findlay Curtis, with the performances of the Rangers midfielder impossible for Clarke to ignore.

The 20-year-old made only his second Scotland appearance in the warm-up match against Curacao as he replaced the injured Billy Gilmour, and within three minutes he'd found the back of the net.

Scotland are short of options on the left side and Curtis has staked his claim for minutes with his fearlessness and creativity.

Odds

To win group – 12/1
To qualify – 4/11

The target is clear for Clarke's Scotland: advance to the knockout stages.

The expanded format for this summer's tournament means one win could well be enough for Scotland to progress from the group stages, and they have what it takes to find those three points.