Scotland will continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to face Belarus at the ZTE Arena in Hungary on Monday 8th September at 7:45pm (UK time). Steve Clarke’s men are involved in one of the four-team groups, with qualifying squashed across just three months. This game will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland.
Under 2.5 goals (4/6 with BOYLE Sports)
Six of Belarus’ last seven competitive matches have seen less than two goals scored with the exception of their 5-1 drubbing by Greece last week. Two of those matches have finished goalless. Scotland have failed to score more than one goal in eight of their last 10 games and it’s clear to see that both sides are struggling in front of goal. Additionally, three of the four meetings between these nations have seen one goal or fewer in them.
Scotland to win to nil (13/10 with William Hill)
Scotland have won three of their past four away games, with their goalless draw against Denmark being the exception. They’ve also kept a clean sheet in three of those games with their last goal conceded on the road being in November 2024 against Poland. Scotland come into the game as favourites and, if they can continue their good defensive form, are good value to see out this game without conceding against inferior opposition.
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How both teams go into Belarus vs Scotland
Belarus are yet to qualify for a major tournament, and they’ve had regular problems. They’ve played 66 games in World Cup qualifying since 1998, winning 14. But only three of those have come in the past three qualifying campaigns. They finished bottom of their group ahead of 2022, losing seven of their eight games.
Their World Cup qualifying campaign hasn’t got off to the best start this time around either. They went down 5-1 to Greece last week, scoring late on to put some credit on the scoreline. They are rank outsiders in a group that also features Denmark and now face an uphill battle to qualify for their first ever international tournament.
Scotland suffered heartbreak in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, finishing second in their group but losing in the play-offs. It means they still haven’t appeared at the World Cup since 1998. But they have been getting closer. Scotland have won 12 of their past 20 qualifying group games, losing just three. They’ve just been unfortunate to have tough groups.
Their campaign got off to a good start this week, with Scotland picking up a creditable goalless draw away against a Denmark side that most expected to top Group C. Whilst it wasn’t a hugely impressive performance from Scotland, they did what needed to be done and it’s set them to hold a really strong position within the group, with their toughest fixture out of the way.
Belarus team news
Alyaksandr Martynovich continues to bring the experience to the Belarus defence at the young age of 38. Vitaly Lisakovich will hope to supply goals as the top scorer of the current squad, on seven.
Scotland team news
Scotland have a strong squad for the September international break. Andrew Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston are expected to form part of Clarke’s defence.
Belarus vs Scotland head-to-head
Scotland have faced Belarus just four times in their history, and not since 2005. Belarus took four points from two games in 2006 World Cup qualifying. Scotland won the first two meetings, in 1998 World Cup qualifying.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 08/10/05 | Scotland 0-1 Belarus | World Cup qualifying |
| 08/06/05 | Belarus 0-0 Scotland | World Cup qualifying |
| 07/09/97 | Scotland 4-1 Belarus | World Cup qualifying |
| 08/06/97 | Belarus 0-1 Scotland | World Cup qualifying |