African test for Clarke: prediction for Scotland vs Morocco - 20.06.2026
Scotland and Morocco will face off on June 20, 2026, in the second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. The Scots kicked off their campaign with a narrow win over Haiti and already have three points in the bag, while Morocco, following a draw with Brazil, reaffirmed their status as a side capable of challenging any opponent.
Scotland: three points secured, but performances leave questions
Scotland opened the tournament with a victory over Haiti, but the match itself raised more questions than it provided reasons for excitement. Steve Clarke's side didn't look significantly stronger than their opponents, and the only goal was more the result of chaos in the box and a fortunate deflection than a well-crafted attacking move.
The main concern is the lack of attacking threat. Lawrence Shankland, who earned a spot up front alongside Che Adams after some solid friendly matches, had a disappointing game: just five accurate passes out of 16 attempts. With tougher opponents ahead, Clarke is likely to opt for a formation with three central defenders, and Shankland may lose his place in the starting eleven.
Morocco: draw with Brazil underlines their pedigree
Morocco played out a 1-1 draw with Brazil in their opener and looked absolutely competitive against the five-time world champions. The "Atlas Lions" started the match aggressively, took the lead, but allowed their opponents to level before the break—ultimately, Mohamed Ouahbi's team claimed a crucial point.
The Moroccans come into this game with their squad almost at full strength: Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi, whose participation was in doubt, both featured against Brazil. The only notable absentee is Abde Ezzalzouli, who missed the tournament due to injury. His place on the left flank of attack was taken by Bilal El Khannouss, who is not a natural in that role but performed admirably in the opening match.
Probable line-ups
- Scotland: Gunn, Hanley, Hendry, Tierney, Ferguson, McTominay, Robertson, Hickey, Christie, Doak, Adams.
- Morocco: Bounou, Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui, Bouaddi, El Ainaoui, Ounahi, Dias, El Khannouss, Saibari.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Scotland beat Haiti in their opener, but their performance drew criticism.
- Morocco are unbeaten in regulation time in their last 29 matches across all competitions.
- Scotland have lost three of their last five World Cup matches.
Class and tempo vs caution: prediction for Scotland vs Morocco
Scotland have already taken their first step towards the playoffs, but the win over Haiti shouldn't be misleading. The team looked sluggish up front and allowed their opponents too much space around their own penalty area. That approach could spell trouble against Morocco, so it's logical to expect Clarke to devise a more cautious game plan with a defensive focus.
Morocco, on the other hand, come across as a more mature and balanced side. The draw with Brazil showed that the "Atlas Lions" can not only endure pressure but also impose their own style on the opposition. Given their form, squad quality, and experience against European teams, the advantage appears to be with the African side.
