World Cup Group C 2026: Teams, Schedule, Fixtures & Standings

Group C at the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises one of the most intriguing first-round battles. It features the five-time champions Brazil alongside the history-making semi-finalists Morocco, the returning challenger Scotland, and the CONCACAF surprise Haiti.

Running from June 13 to June 24, this group brings together vastly different footballing cultures. The heavy North American travel load and the historical rematch between Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland—who last met in the 1998 group stage—will put immense pressure on every match. Qualification for the Round of 32 is the minimum goal for two nations, but an upset is certainly on the cards.

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Dates	June 13 – June 24, 2026
Teams	Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Matchdays	3 (June 13, June 19, June 24)
Qualification	Top 2 teams advance to Round of 32. Four best 3rd-placed teams advance.
Host Cities	East Rutherford (NY/NJ), Foxborough (Boston), Philadelphia, Miami Gardens, Atlanta

World Cup Group C 2026 Teams

Brazil

The Seleção are led by their new, experienced European coach, Carlo Ancelotti, aiming to blend traditional Brazilian flair with tactical discipline. Their style remains centered on technical superiority, quick combination play in the final third, and high-pressing periods, though Ancelotti has focused on improving defensive structure.

• Key Players: Vinícius Júnior (Winger, blistering pace and directness), Rodrygo (Forward, versatile attacker who links play), Marquinhos (Center-back, defensive leader and ball-player).
• Clear Strength: Unrivaled individual attacking talent and experience in major tournaments.
• Clear Weakness: Over-reliance on individual brilliance, which can lead to disjointed performances against well-organized defenses.
• Realistic Group Target: 1st Place. Anything less would be a major failure.

Morocco

The Atlas Lions shocked the world in 2022 with a counter-attacking, defensively rock-solid style built on unity and intensity. Coach Walid Regragui emphasizes a compact, deep defensive block followed by rapid transitions, primarily using their exceptional full-backs and creative wingers.

• Key Players: Achraf Hakimi (Right-back, world-class engine and attacking outlet), Hakim Ziyech (Winger, primary creator and set-piece specialist), Youssef En-Nesyri (Striker, aerial threat and relentless runner).
• Clear Strength: Defensive organization and unparalleled team spirit, making them incredibly difficult to break down.
• Clear Weakness: Sometimes struggle to control possession and create consistent chances against opponents who sit back.
• Realistic Group Target: 2nd Place or 3rd with advancement. They have the quality to target the top spot, but securing passage is the priority.

Haiti

Les Grenadiers are making their first World Cup appearance in over 50 years. They rely heavily on athletic forwards and a strong, combative midfield unit. Their strategy is often built around absorbing pressure and hitting opponents on the break, using the speed of their attacking players.

• Key Players: Duckens Nazon (Striker, top scorer in qualification, a physical focal point), Frantzdy Pierrot (Forward, powerful presence), Danley Jean Jacque (Midfielder, an important two-way player).
• Clear Strength: The sheer excitement and motivation of a team ending a half-century drought, plus their physical energy.
• Clear Weakness: Lack of experience at the highest level, which leads to tactical naivety and inconsistency over 90 minutes.
• Realistic Group Target: 3rd Place. Gaining a single point would be a massive achievement, but they will aim to reach the final 32.

Scotland

The Tartan Army qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, returning with a pragmatic and well-drilled side under manager Steve Clarke. They typically employ a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on an aggressive press, set-piece threat, and the industry of their midfield.

• Key Players: Andy Robertson (Left-back/Wing-back, captain, and main attacking provider), Scott McTominay (Midfielder, goal threat and box-to-box energy), John McGinn (Attacking Midfielder, relentless runner and creative spark).
• Clear Strength: A cohesive and resilient team unit that understands its roles and operates on immense passion.
• Clear Weakness: A historical tendency to falter in decisive group stage matches when the pressure is highest.
• Realistic Group Target: 2nd Place or 3rd with advancement. Their key opening match against Haiti will define their ambition.

World Cup Group C 2026 Schedule & Fixtures (ET)

The scheduling is challenging, forcing teams to move across the vast Eastern Seaboard of the United States. All times listed below are Eastern Time (ET), which is UTC-4.

Date	Match	Time (ET)	Venue
June 13	Brazil vs. Morocco	6:00 p.m.	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
June 13	Haiti vs. Scotland	9:00 p.m.	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 19	Scotland vs. Morocco	6:00 p.m.	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 19	Brazil vs. Haiti	9:00 p.m.	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
June 24	Scotland vs. Brazil	6:00 p.m.	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
June 24	Morocco vs. Haiti	6:00 p.m.	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

World Cup Group C 2026 Venues

MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

This stadium, minutes from New York City, is the host of the Final and will provide a high-octane, electric atmosphere for the group opener between Brazil and Morocco. It uses a FieldTurf CORE synthetic surface, which will be replaced with a natural grass pitch for the tournament. The lack of a roof means the early evening conditions could be humid, but the sheer capacity makes the sound immense, creating a cauldron for the biggest game.

Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)

Just outside Boston, Gillette Stadium has a unique New England aesthetic with its signature lighthouse and bridge structure. It’s known for its rowdy, dedicated crowd. The venue uses a synthetic surface, which will also be converted to natural grass. It’s a slightly smaller, more intimidating venue for opponents, and the compact nature of Scotland’s and Morocco’s fixtures here provides them with a tactical home-base advantage.

Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

“The Linc” is known for its passionate, often aggressive, Philadelphia crowd atmosphere. Its sleek steel and glass design has open corners that give a view of the city skyline. It will feature a natural grass pitch installed for the tournament. The crowd noise here is famously intense, and the angle of the seating bowl is steep, which is tactically relevant as it puts more pressure on players, particularly goalkeepers, during the second round of matches.

Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

A venue defined by its open-air design and distinctive roof canopy, Hard Rock Stadium will host one of the final matchday fixtures. The canopy provides shade to most fans, which is vital in the oppressive South Florida heat and humidity. The pitch will be natural grass. The atmosphere here is a celebration of Miami’s diverse, global football culture, which will undoubtedly give Brazil a significant home-turf feel.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)

This stunning, state-of-the-art stadium is famous for its retractable roof and the massive, ring-shaped “Halo” video board. It’s home to a thriving MLS club, so the football atmosphere will be authentic and loud. While it normally uses FieldTurf, a FIFA-compliant natural grass pitch will be laid. The option to close the roof will guarantee a perfect, climate-controlled environment, which matters tactically by eliminating the variable of rain or heat, making the final day clash between Morocco and Haiti a pure test of skill.

World Cup Group C Standings

Standings in the Group C table are calculated just like any major tournament. The two main tiebreakers are crucial and often come into play. You can also view the Group A and Group B breakdowns for the overall tournament picture.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Brazil	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Morocco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Haiti	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Scotland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Points update after every fixture. A Win (W) is worth 3 points, a Draw (D) is worth 1 point, and a Loss (L) is worth 0 points. Goal Difference (GD) is the difference between Goals For (GF) and Goals Against (GA), and it’s the primary tiebreaker. Should two teams finish level on points and overall goal difference, the second tiebreaker is the Head-to-Head result between the teams. This means the result of the match they played against each other would determine the ranking.

World Cup 2026 Group C Qualification Rules

The expansion of the tournament means the qualification mathematics are slightly different, but the core rule remains simple for fans.

The top two teams in Group C will automatically advance to the Round of 32. This is the surest way to qualify.

The new rule involves the best eight third-placed teams from all twelve groups. A third-place finish in Group C will still give a team a strong chance to advance, but it is not guaranteed.

This is why goal difference is so important. Teams that know they cannot win their final match often push for goals, even if losing, to improve their goal difference and secure one of those eight crucial third-place spots across the entire tournament.

Key Group C Storylines

• The Seleção’s Pressure: Brazil has not won the World Cup since 2002. The pressure to deliver a sixth title on North American soil—where they last won in 1994—is immense.
• 1998 Rematch: Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland were all in the same group in the 1998 World Cup. Morocco won 3-0 against Scotland but failed to advance. Scotland will be desperate for revenge.
• African Upset Potential: Morocco is no longer a dark horse. Their 2022 semi-final run means they enter Group C with the favorite status over Scotland and Haiti, raising expectations dramatically.
• The Opener is Decisive: The Brazil vs. Morocco match on June 13 is the single most important game. A Morocco win would completely upend the group.
• CONCACAF’s Underdog: Haiti’s participation is a major story for the CONCACAF region. Their match against Scotland on the opening day is a potential tournament-defining moment for both teams.
• Decisive Final Night: Both final matches are on the same day and at the same time: Scotland vs. Brazil in Miami and Morocco vs. Haiti in Atlanta. Goal difference and live standings will be changing by the minute.
• The Travel Toll: The sheer mileage teams must cover in a short period is a serious factor, likely to affect player fatigue and injury risk in the final matchday.

Fan FAQ

When does World Cup Group C start?

Group C begins on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with the Brazil vs. Morocco and Haiti vs. Scotland matches.

Who qualifies from World Cup Group C?

The top two teams automatically qualify for the Round of 32. The third-place team may also qualify, as one of the best eight third-placed teams across the tournament.

Is Italy in World Cup Group C?

No, the teams in Group C are Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

How many matches does each team play in the Group Stage?

Each team plays three matches in the Group C stage.

What is the head-to-head tiebreaker?

If two teams are tied on points and goal difference, the team that won the match played between them will be ranked higher.

How far apart are the Group C venues?

The venues are spread out, covering the distance from New Jersey to Florida. The longest single trip is the approximately 1,200 miles between Foxborough and Miami Gardens.

What time is the Scotland vs. Brazil match?

The Scotland vs. Brazil match is on June 24 at 6:00 p.m. ET.