FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil and Morocco Reach Round of 32 as Scotland Face Nervous Wait, Haiti Exit With Pride
Brazil and Morocco secured their places in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing first and second respectively in Group C early Thursday Morning.
Scotland’s qualification hopes remain hanging by a thread despite advancing to the final group matchday with qualification in their own hands.
Brazil sealed top spot in the group with a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland at Miami Stadium on Wednesday night. Vinícius Júnior was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half before Matheus Cunha added a third after the break.
The five-time world champions struck early when Scotland defender Scott McKenna was dispossessed by Rayan, who set up Vinícius to open the scoring in the seventh minute. The Real Madrid winger the doubled Brazil’s advantage in first-half stoppage time, heading home after Scotland failed to clear their lines.
Brazil continued to dominate after the interval and made it 3-0 on the hour mark when Bruno Guimarães won possession in midfield before providing the assist for Cunha to fire past Angus Gunn.
The result ensured Brazil finished top of Group C, while Scotland ended the group stage with three points and a negative goal difference.
Steve Clarke’s men must now wait for the completion of the remaining groups to discover whether they will qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
In the group’s other fixture, Morocco came from behind twice to defeat Haiti 4-2 in an entertaining encounter at Atlanta Stadium and secure second place.
Haiti stunned the North Africans when an early effort from Lenny Joseph deflected off goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the net for an own goal, giving the Caribbean nation a historic lead and their first World Cup goal in 52 years.
Morocco responded through Achraf Hakimi in the 39th minute, but Haiti restored their advantage moments later when Wilson Isidor produced a stunning long-range strike.
The Atlas Lions levelled again before halftime through Ismael Saibari, who scored his third goal of the tournament. Late goals from Soufiane Rahimi and Gessime Yassine eventually secured all three points for Walid Regragui’s side.
The victory sends Morocco into the knockout stage as Group C runners-up, where they could face the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden in the Round of 32.
Although Haiti’s campaign ended without a point, the Caribbean side exited the tournament with their heads held high after producing a spirited display and scoring twice against one of Africa’s strongest teams.
Group C Final Standings
Brazil – 7 points
Morocco – 6 points
Scotland – 3 points
Haiti – 0 points
