Scotland v Denmark: World Cup 2026 qualifying – live

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The last time Scotland qualified for a World Cup was 11 October 1997, when Sunchyme by Dario G – it’s okay, you can admit you like it now – was second in the charts, William Hague was all over the front pages and some of us had more hair then him.

Scotland beat Latvia 2-0 that night and qualified automatically as the best runner-up across nine groups. Tonight’s task is tougher, but then the reward is greater. If Scotland beat Denmark at Hampden, they will be among the chosen 48 for next summer’s World Cup; if they draw or lose, they will go into the playoffs. It’s mercifully simple, terrifyingly so if you’re a Scotland fan.

Scotland v Denmark is our main focus but we’ll have goalflashes from Cardiff, where Wales need to beat North Macedonia to improve their seeding for the upcoming playoffs, and half-time/full-time updates from the other matches. Here’s the full list.

Group B

Kosovo v Switzerland

Sweden v Slovenia

Switzerland will qualify automatically unless they lose by six goals to Kosovo, who along with Sweden are guaranteed a playoff place.

Group C

Belarus v Greece

Scotland v Denmark

See above

Group E

Spain v Turkey

Bulgaria v Georgia

Spain will qualify unless they lose by seven goals at home to Turkey, who are guaranteed a playoff place. Spain could join England in winning every game without conceding a goal.

Group H

Romania v San Marino

Austria v Bosnia and Herzegovina

This group is a bit tighter. Bosnia and Herzegovina will steal the automatic qualification spot from Austria if they win in Vienna. Romania are guaranteed a playoff spot along with Austria or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Group I

Belgium v Liechtenstein

Wales v North Macedonia

Belgium need to win at home to Liechtenstein to guarantee automatic qualification, though a draw should be enough and we feel a bit silly acknowleding this as a live prospect. Assuming Belgium win, Wales and North Macedonia – both guaranteed a playoff place – are fighting for a better seeding in that draw. They are level on points but Wales have an inferior goal difference so they need to win.