Brazil and Scotland prepare to meet once again
Brazil and Scotland will meet for an incredible fifth time at the World Cup next year. FIFA take a look at the two sides' previous contests..
Brazil and Scotland to meet for the fifth time at FIFA World Cup
The two sides will clash at Miami Stadium in Group C
Seleção are undefeated in their previous meetings in global showpiece
There was a real sense of déjà vu when Brazil and Scotland were paired at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Draw.
The two sides' Group C clash at Miami Stadium on 24 June will incredibly mark the fifth time they have met in the group phase. It will be the joint-most played fixture at this stage of the global showpiece, following meetings in 1974, 1982, 1990, and 1998.
Although historic in nature, the rivalry is far from close, with Brazil having won three of the four previous fixtures and drawn the other. Nonetheless, it is a clash that both teams and their respective fans are eagerly anticipating.
"Bring it on," Scotland coach Steve Clarke told BBC Scotland after the draw. "Brazil, especially in a World Cup, is going to be a special occasion. The Brazilian fans are great, but the Tartan Army's pretty special as well. We're going to bring a little bit of magic as well, hopefully. It's great to play them."
Brazil may be considered strong favourites but Carlo Ancelotti is not taking the game lightly at all. "It’s a very difficult group," he said. "Scotland qualified for the World Cup by winning important matches in Europe. A very solid team, very strong physically. We have to be careful with this group, but I am confident in the quality of our national team."
Ahead of their historic reunion, FIFA takes a look at their previous World Cup meetings — and Scotland's tale of agony along the way.
Scotland's best result against Brazil at the FIFA World Cup came in their first encounter, which took place at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt during the first group stage at West Germany 1974. It was the second fixture for both teams, with the Seleção having opened with a goalless draw against Yugoslavia and the Scots leading Group 2 after a 2-0 victory over Zaire.
With a team including fearsome Leeds United captain Billy Bremner and rising star Kenny Dalglish, the Scots — who were making their World Cup return after a 16-year absence — held their own against the defending champions, who were without a number of stars from their 1970 triumph.
Both goalkeepers made a number of fine saves in a match that ended goalless. There was agony for the Tartan Army after a header from Joe Jordan quickly rebounded into the path of Bremner, who was unable to direct the ball on target. "It wasn't like he could side-foot it in — it bounced off him," Jordan told BBC Sport. "It wasn't the result we wanted but we didn't feel it was an opportunity missed."
Scotland needed a victory against Yugoslavia to make it to the second group stage but only managed a 1-1 draw and went out of the competition, despite being undefeated, on goal difference after Brazil and Yugoslavia downed Zaire by heavier margins. A team in transition, Brazil failed to live up to their lofty expectations and finished fourth overall.
Scotland went into their clash with Brazil leading Group 6 on goal difference after defeating New Zealand 5-2 in their opener. And they were in dreamland when David Narey gave Jock Stein's men a shock lead in Seville with a powerful long-distance effort in the 18th minute.
"[Narey] didn't have a clue what to do when it happened," Scotland team-mate John Wark recalled to the Dundee Courier. "He obviously hardly ever scored so he ended up running around like a wee boy who didn't know what day it was!"
The mighty Brazil squad of Socrates, Zico, Falco, Junior and Eder were neither shaken nor stirred by Narey's strike, however. They quickly restored parity thanks to Zico's sublime free-kick before going on a rampage in the second half, as goals from Oscar, Eder and Falcao secured a comfortable 4-1 victory.
There was a sense of déjà vu when the Scots' only managed a draw with the Soviet Union in their final group stage match to go out on goal difference. Brazil, for their part, failed to make it past the second group stage despite their embarrassment of riches. They are considered one of the most talented teams to have never won the World Cup.
Brazil were in fine form heading into their final group clash with Scotland in Turin having won their opening two fixtures at Italy 1990. After defeat to Costa Rica and victory over Sweden, the Scots were still in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages and needed a draw against the South Americans to progress.
Andy Roxburgh's men held their own and appeared on course for qualification with nine minutes remaining when Brazil substitute Muller pounced on a loose ball after Scotland stopper Jim Leighton failed to hold on to a shot. There would be one final chance for the Scots, but Taffarel managed to tip the ball over the bar.
"It was typical Scotland. Another hard luck story," midfielder Stuart McCall recalled to the BBC. "We held our own against them though; there was nothing in the game."
Disappointment would soon follow for Brazil, who were defeated by Diego Maradona's Argentina in the Round of 16. Even though Maradona was carrying an ankle injury, he turned on the magic in Turin and inspired a narrow 1-0 victory.
History repeated itself once again with more heartache for Scotland at France 1998. In their opening group stage match in Saint-Denis, Cesar Sampaio gave Brazil the lead after just five minutes before John Collins thrilled the Tartan Army with a 38th-minute penalty after Kevin Gallacher had been held back in the area by Brazil's goalscorer.
The Scots appeared on course for a famous draw against the defending champions when a desperately unlucky own goal from Tom Boyd with 19 minutes remaining sealed a 2-1 victory for Brazil. "There's no denying that the better team won that game but we had a great chance not to lose," lamented Scotland coach Craig Brown.
While Scotland went out of the World Cup in dismal fashion, Ronaldo Nazario inspired Brazil to a legendary run to the final and an almighty clash with France, which the hosts convincingly won 3-0.
Brazil and Scotland have met just once since: a 2011 friendly that the Seleção won 2-0 at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London. Neymar scored both goals that day and it remains to be seen if he will be back for their Miami reunion next year.