Scotland v Belarus 2026 FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier 12/10/2025. Group C Andy Robertson 3 - Scotland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom on 12 October 2025. Editorial use only , Copyright: xRaymondxDaviesx PSI-23024-0049
Scotland’s World Cup campaign hangs by a thread after a devastating 3-0 defeat to Brazil in Miami left the Scots needing outside help to survive.
Steve Clarke’s side were put to the sword by a Vinicius Jr double and a Matheus Cunha goal that inflicted serious damage on their goal difference.
Celtic defender Kieran Tierney admitted the only option remaining for Scotland is to hope and pray that results elsewhere fall their way.
Tierney said: “We’re flat. We know we could have done a lot better. It wasn’t a great result for us.”
The deflated left-back acknowledged the painful reality that Scotland’s tournament destiny now rests entirely in the hands of other nations.
He said: “It means now we’re waiting on other teams to do us favours. All you can do is hope.”
Tierney confirmed the squad would be closely monitoring the remaining group games from their base, backing whichever teams could help extend Scotland’s stay.
He said: “We will definitely watch the other games. We need to see who does what. We’re waiting on favours, so we’ll be supporting the teams that we need to support to get us through.”
Clarke himself suggested after the Brazil loss that his squad would probably be heading home early, having failed to make history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
Scotland’s goal difference took a punishing hit that dramatically reduced their already slim prospects of qualifying as one of the best third-placed sides.
Tierney was blunt about the moment that may have ended Scotland’s tournament hopes entirely, saying: “I think the third one could end up being a killer.”
The left-back replaced Andy Robertson at half-time against Brazil and was considered one of Scotland’s better performers on a difficult night in Miami.
He refused to use the word regrets, insisting the squad had given everything throughout the campaign despite the disappointing outcomes.
Tierney said: “There’s regret that we haven’t done better but no regrets that we never left everything on the pitch.”
Scotland faced an extraordinarily difficult group, and Tierney acknowledged that while the draw was tough, performances fell below what the players knew they were capable of.
He said: “It was a really tough group, a really tough draw. But we know ourselves that we could have done a lot better, especially on Wednesday night.”
Despite the bitter disappointment, Tierney spoke warmly about the experience of playing in his first World Cup, Scotland’s first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
He said: “The experience has been amazing. The fans were incredible. I think that’s why we’re disappointed as well because they deserve better.”
The Tartan Army has embraced the tournament atmosphere across America, but Tierney knows the fans and the country deserved a deeper run into the competition.
He said: “Just to see the scenes with the fans enjoying themselves and the country all together as one has been amazing.”
Tierney reflected that while the Brazil game was where Scotland fell short most painfully, he remained proud of what the squad had put into the campaign overall.
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