Scotland faces Denmark at Hampden Park in the final Group C match of 2026 World Cup qualifying, with a win securing automatic qualification for the Scots and a draw sufficient for the visitors. The teams are separated by one point after Scotland's 3-2 loss to Greece and Denmark's 2-2 draw with Belarus. Kick-off is at 19:45 GMT on November 18, 2025.
The match at Hampden Park represents a winner-takes-all scenario for Scotland and Denmark in Group C. Scotland, managed by Steve Clarke, enters the game needing a victory to reach their first World Cup since 1998. Denmark, under Brian Riemer, can advance with a draw but faces pressure after being booed by fans following their draw against Belarus.
Scotland's confirmed starting XI includes goalkeeper Craig Gordon, defenders Aaron Hickey and Andy Robertson, midfielders Scott McTominay and John McGinn, and forward Lyndon Dykes. Substitutes feature Kieran Tierney and Lawrence Shankland. Denmark starts with Kasper Schmeichel in goal, defenders Joachim Andersen and Andreas Christensen, forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Mikkel Damsgaard, and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Bench options include Christian Eriksen and Jonas Wind.
Craig Gordon, starting after a strong performance against Greece, expressed the stakes: "It’s now going to be one of the biggest games I’ve ever been involved in. It’s just massive." Denmark's Riemer acknowledged Scotland's threat: "They are a team that you have to take seriously, but we have more quality."
Team news indicates illness concerns for Denmark's Rasmus Hojlund and Joachim Andersen, with Hojlund unlikely to start. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 in September. Coverage is available on BBC Scotland, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and fubo Sports Network.
Qualifying context: The top group finisher advances directly; runners-up enter play-offs on March 26 and 31, 2026. The World Cup finals draw occurs December 5, 2025, in Washington DC, with the tournament from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
