Scotland vs. Brazil, expected starting lineup and formation
The final round of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C will kick off on June 25th at 7pm Japan time. We analyze the expected starting lineups and formations of Scotland and Brazil, and explain the factors that will affect the Japan national team's opponent in the first round of the final tournament.

The final match of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C, Scotland vs. Brazil, will kick off on June 25th at 7pm Japan time. This match will be an important match that will determine the possibility of the Japanese national team facing each other in the first round of the final tournament.
Scotland will secure a place in the finals if they win, but Brazil will maintain their lead in the group. Based on information from British media, we will introduce the expected starting lineups and formations for both teams. Scotland will adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, with captain Andrew Robertson expected to start at left-back.
In the midfield, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour form a combination and form the starting point of the attack. Up front, Che Adams will be appointed as center forward and will work with the left and right wingers to aim for goals. The backline is expected to consist of right-back Nathan Patterson, centre-backs Grant Hanley and Ryan Porteous, and left-back Robertson.
Brazil are expected to play in a 4-3-3 formation, with Vinícius Júnior likely to start on the left wing. The midfield consists of Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, and João Gomes, with a focus on stability. Ace Neymar plays under the top, and the top three of Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and Richarlison aim to score.
Alisson Becker is expected to play goalkeeper, Guilherme Arana is likely to start at right-back, Marquinhos and Igor Milicão at centre-back, and Renan Lodi is likely to start at left-back. The result of this match may directly determine the opponent of the Japanese national team in the first round of the final tournament, and is extremely important information for Japanese soccer fans. If Scotland wins, they will secure second place in the group and Japan will likely face Scotland in the first round.
If Brazil wins, they will maintain their lead in the group, with their Japanese opponents likely to take second place. Furthermore, if Scotland were to draw, the Japan national team's scenario would become even more complicated as second place in the group would be determined by goal difference with other teams. Tactically, Robertson's overlap from left-back will be key to stretching Vinicius Junior's defensive line.
The battle between McTamina and Gilmour in midfield will be determined by how they utilize their physical strength and speed in the battle for the centre-half position, which is dominated by Brazil's Casemiro and others. Additionally, Brazilian right-back Aruna could provide attacking crosses and create space behind Richarlison. Historically, Scotland and Brazil have rarely faced each other head-to-head in past World Cups, but Brazil's 3-1 win in a friendly in 2022 remains in the memory.
In this match, it will be interesting to see whether Scotland will take advantage of their home advantage and whether the enthusiastic support at Hampden Park will disrupt Brazil's rhythm. On the other hand, Brazil will use their experienced players and individual skills to develop tactics that will cut through Scotland's defensive line. What's next: Once the result of the Scotland vs.
Brazil match is decided and the final standings of Group C are confirmed, the Japanese national team's opponent for the first round of the final tournament will be revealed. Japanese soccer fans will be closely monitoring the results of the Scotland vs. Brazil match and will begin simulating the Japanese national team's next match.
Additionally, if Scotland were to advance to the final tournament as 2nd in their group, the scenario would need to be reconsidered, including whether Japan would have home advantage in the first round. Read at Football Channel
Why this matters
The result of this match will not only directly determine the opponent of the Japanese national team in the first round of the final tournament, but may also have an impact on the match venue and home advantage. Scotland's victory would secure second place in the group and raise the possibility that Japan will face Scotland in the first round, but it also raises the possibility that the venue will be Hampden Park. Brazil's victory maintains their lead in the group and suggests that Japan's opponent could be the second-place team in the group, but it is unknown which team that opponent will be. For Japanese soccer fans, the outcome of this match has more meaning than just a win or loss.
Frequently asked
- When will Scotland vs Brazil be played?
- Kickoff will be on June 25th at 7pm Japan time.
- What impact will the result of this match have on the Japanese national team?
- There is a possibility that the opponent for the first round of the final tournament for the Japanese national team will be directly decided. If Scotland wins, they will secure second place in the group and will likely face Japan.
- Who is Scotland's expected starting lineup?
- The starting lineup will be 4-2-3-1 with Andrew Robertson (LB), Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour (MF), and Che Adams (FW). The back line is expected to consist of Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, Ryan Porteous and Robertson.
- Who is Brazil's expected starting lineup?
- In a 4-3-3, Vinícius Júnior (LW), Neymar (AM), Raphinha (RW), and Richarlison (ST) are likely to start. The backline is expected to consist of Guilherme Arana, Marquinhos, Igor Milicão and Renan Lodi.
- If Scotland wins, what will be the impact on the Japanese national team?
- With 2nd place in the group confirmed, the Japanese national team will likely face Scotland in the first round of the final tournament. The venue could also be Hampden Park.
- What will be the impact on the Japanese national team if Brazil wins?
- The Japanese team will likely maintain their lead in the group, and their opponent will likely be the second-placed team in the group. The opponent will be determined by the difference in points against other teams.
Source
- スコットランド代表対ブラジル代表、予想スタメン&フォーメーション! 日本代表と対戦の可能性! ヴィニシウスの先発は?
Football Channelfootballchannel.jpBy 折原亘24 Jun, 9:00ja
















