Brazil “aren’t the team they were back in the day”, Duncan Ferguson has told his successors in Scotland’s squad as the Tartan Army face a potentially defining meeting with the record five-time champions in their World Cup 2026 group stage finale.
Following a 1-0 win over Haiti, Steve Clarke’s side were beaten by Ismael Saibari’s goal after 70 seconds against Morocco on Friday and may now need to avoid defeat against opponents ranked 35 places above them if they are to reach the knockout stage.
“Brazil aren’t the Brazil of old,” former striker Ferguson told ITV, namechecking three members of the Selecao’s World Cup 2002-winning squad.
“There’s no Ronaldo or Rivaldo there, or Roberto Carlos. So come on – we can have a good go at them.”
World Cup 2026 analysis: Brazil ‘aren’t that brilliant’
Five-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti has a stellar Brazil squad to call upon, including Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, European champion Marquinhos, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal’s Premier-League winning side and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
The Selecao drew their opener 1-1 with 2002 semi-finalists Morocco and beat Haiti 3-0 hours after Scotland’s defeat.
“When you’re a goal down after 70 seconds, it’s your mindset,” former Ireland captain Roy Keane suggested.
“What is your belief? Where’s your confidence? That’s got to come from the manager, the staff and the senior players.
“Scotland were almost waiting for something to happen. If they do that against Brazil… we all agree Brazil aren’t that brilliant, but they’d be more than good enough to beat Scotland.”
Scotland vs Brazil: Scoring ‘worry’ at World Cup
Scotland were a little unfortunate not to take a point against Brazil in their first game at their last appearance at the finals in 1998, when Tom Boyd’s 74th-minute own goal decided the match.
“There’s a wee bit of encouragement in there,” said Ferguson, who won seven caps between 1992 and 1997, analysing Scotland’s showing against Morocco, whose ranking of sixth is the highest of an African team.
“We finished the game well. We pushed quite hard but never had that quality really to get that goal, did we?
“That’s going to be a worry for us, scoring goals. It’s a worry for every team, isn’t it?”
World Cup 2026 fixtures: Scotland vs Brazil
The final games in Group C take place on Wednesday.
World Cup 2026: Group C table
Scotland will definitely go through if they win and a draw would place them strongly to at least advance as one of the eight best-performing third-placed teams from the 12 groups, with defeat putting them in a weaker position to be among those sides.
