Scotland to face England, Iran and USA if they reach World Cup

Scotland have been drawn to face England, Iran and USA if they reach the Qatar World Cup this year.

The potential opponents were revealed at FIFA’s draw in Qatar on Friday, when the group stage line-ups for the finals were confirmed.

Scotland have yet to qualify for the tournament, with Steve Clarke’s side still to learn the new date for their postponed play-off semi-final against Ukraine.

But if the national team come through that test and beat Wales in the play-off final, they’ll be heading to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.

The draw means that Scotland would play on opening day, and that their final group game would be against historic rivals England. The last time the sides met was at Euro 2020, when the sides drew 0-0 in a hard-fought game at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate’s side went on to lose the final to Italy but have since sailed through World Cup qualification, going through a group that contained Poland, Albania, Hungary, Andorra and San Marino without defeat.

Iran won their qualification group to reach Qatar and are currently ranked 21st best side in the world.

USA took the last guaranteed CONCACAF place, finishing behind Canada and Mexico in what was a tricky qualifying campaign.

FIFA conducted the draw with a placeholder for Scotland/Ukraine/Wales, as well as the two intercontinental play-off places, but the remaining 29 teams are all confirmed for the finals, which start on November 21.

Venues and kick-off times for all matches will be confirmed at a later date.

World Cup group stage draw

Group A – Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands, Senegal

Group B – England, Iran, USA, Scotland/Ukraine/Wales

Group C – Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D – France, UAE/Peru/Australia, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E – Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan

Group F – Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G – Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H – Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea