McTominay vs The Atlas Lions · Semi-Final Pedigree Against Tartan Army Hope · Foxborough
Scotland at a World Cup. Let that sentence breathe. Their first since France 1998, and the Tartan Army have waited 28 years, and they are in Foxborough in their second group match having already opened their campaign. Scott McTominay — goals machine for Manchester United turned Napoli — is the heartbeat of this team. Andy Robertson at left-back provides experience and leadership.
Lyndon Dykes leads the line. Che Adams provides the pace. Stuart Armstrong (AS Monaco) drives the midfield. Steve Clarke's Scotland are organised, hard to beat, and carry a quiet belief born of earning their place here the hard way through qualifying. They need points from this group. Morocco are the hardest possible test.
Morocco made the 2022 World Cup semi-finals — the first African nation to ever reach that stage — under Walid Regragui, who beat Spain on penalties and beat Portugal 1-0 with Hakimi's assist and En-Nesyri's header. Regragui resigned in March 2026 and Mohamed Ouahbi, fresh off winning the U20 World Cup, now has the reins. The players who did the winning in Qatar are still largely here. They know how to win at this level and they know how to beat European giants. They are not afraid of Scotland.
Achraf Hakimi (PSG) at right-back is one of the best attacking full-backs in world football. Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos) leads the line. Sofyan Amrabat (Real Betis) and Azzedine Ounahi drive the midfield press. Morocco are technically superior to Scotland and will make this match uncomfortable from the first whistle.