Carlo Ancelotti has cautioned that Brazil should expect a hard contest when facing Scotland, even though progress from World Cup Group C is almost certain. Brazil target top spot after drawing 1-1 with Morocco and defeating Haiti 3-0, while Scotland chase a first-ever place in the knockout rounds.

Group C remains finely balanced despite Brazil’s strong position. The Opta supercomputer gives Brazil a 62% chance of winning the group, with a 26% likelihood of finishing second and 12% of ending third. Scotland still have qualification hopes, while Morocco also sit on four points and remain contenders.

Morocco are rated with a 35% chance of topping Group C, which would avoid a difficult last-32 clash against the Group F winners, who could be the Netherlands. Brazil, five-time world champions, are therefore still motivated to secure victory on Wednesday to protect seeding and momentum.

Brazil’s historical record in World Cup group stages is strong, with 42 wins, 13 draws and just five losses from 60 first-round matches. However, each of those five defeats arrived on matchday three, against Portugal in 1966, Norway in 1998 and Cameroon in 2022, which adds caution for Ancelotti.

Ancelotti stressed that Scotland’s style and mentality could trouble Brazil, especially with knockout qualification on the line. Scotland, still seeking a first progression beyond the group stage at a World Cup, bring physical intensity and experienced midfielders as they try to turn a competitive campaign into historic success.

“It will be a difficult game. Scotland have quality, they are fighters, they are well-organised,” Ancelotti told reporters. “They have good players, [Scott] McTominay, [John] McGinn, they are experienced players. Easy games at the World Cup were over a long time ago. We are ready to play a difficult game.”

World Cup Group C focus on Brazil’s attack and Neymar

Across their first two matches, Brazil produced 20 shots, with 12 attempts against Morocco and eight versus Haiti. An average of 10 shots per game is currently Brazil’s lowest figure at any single World Cup since records began in 1966, raising questions about attacking sharpness before facing Scotland.

Neymar’s return is expected to change that attacking picture. A calf problem kept Neymar out of Brazil’s first two group fixtures, while the forward has not played for Brazil since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament during international duty in late 2023. Ancelotti now considers Neymar ready to start if needed.

“He is available, he trained very well this week, he is fit and able and ready to play. We are very happy that he is back, he is a high-quality player,” Ancelotti said. “He can play half the game or the whole 90 minutes. He is doing very well, he worked very hard, so he is ready. His attitude is very good, he is in very good spirits, he’s a good player and team-mate, he’s very serious and we want to put him back in to play as soon as possible. He brings experience and knowledge; he is doing very well.”

Ancelotti’s comments underline confidence in Brazil’s squad depth but also respect for Scotland’s organisation. With Brazil almost certain to progress, and Morocco also well-placed, the final round of World Cup Group C games still carries major consequences for seeding, confidence and Scotland’s long pursuit of a knockout appearance.