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Scotland Face Familiar Foes Brazil in Bid to Rewrite World Cup History

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Blast from the past! Brazil and Scotland renew their World Cup rivalry 28 years after meeting in the opening match of the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, where the Brazilians began their campaign with a 2-1 victory. The two nations clash again at World Cup 2026 with qualification stakes on the line.

 

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Scotland will attempt to overturn decades of World Cup frustration against Brazil when the two sides clash in a decisive Group Stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

History heavily favours the South Americans, who are unbeaten in four previous World Cup meetings between the nations. Their first encounter ended in a goalless draw at the 1974 tournament, but Brazil have since emerged victorious in every subsequent clash.

The five-time world champions defeated Scotland 4-1 in Spain 1982 before edging the Europeans 1-0 in Italy 1990. Their most recent World Cup meeting came in France 1998 when Brazil secured a 2-1 victory.

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Interestingly, all previous encounters between the teams have occurred during the group phase, making this fifth meeting another chapter in a rivalry dominated by the Brazilians.

Scotland, however, will hope that recent performances can inspire an upset as they seek a result capable of propelling them into the knockout rounds. Brazil, meanwhile, remain among the tournament favourites and will be keen to maintain their perfect World Cup record against the Scots.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Morocco Seek to Extend Group Stage Unbeaten Run Against Debut African Opponents Haiti

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco will look to continue their impressive FIFA World Cup group-stage form when they take on Haiti in a historic first-ever World Cup meeting between the Caribbean nation and an African opponent.

The Atlas Lions arrive at the fixture unbeaten in their last six World Cup group matches, having recorded three victories and three draws during that period. That consistency has reinforced Morocco’s reputation as one of Africa’s strongest representatives on the global stage.

For Haiti, the match represents a unique challenge. Despite previous World Cup appearances, the Caribbean side have never faced an African nation at the finals. Their encounter with Morocco therefore, opens a new chapter in their World Cup history.

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Morocco’s disciplined defensive organisation and growing confidence after recent successes have made them difficult opponents, while Haiti will be aiming to spring a surprise and keep their qualification hopes alive.

With knockout-round places at stake, both teams know that a positive result could prove decisive in determining their fate.

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Switzerland and Canada Battle for Knockout Berth in High-Stakes Encounter

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Switzerland will seek to maintain their reputation as one of the World Cup’s most consistent performers when they face co-hosts Canada in a crucial group-stage showdown.

The Swiss have advanced beyond the group phase in five of their last six FIFA World Cup appearances and are once again targeting a place in the knockout rounds. Their experience in navigating the early stages of the competition could prove invaluable in a fixture carrying significant implications.

Canada, however, enter the contest buoyed by a landmark achievement. The co-hosts are fresh from securing their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory, a result that has boosted confidence and ignited hopes of a historic progression to the next round.

With home support expected to provide additional motivation, Canada will be eager to build on that breakthrough success. Switzerland, meanwhile, will rely on their tournament know-how as they seek another place among the last 16.

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The clash promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the round as two ambitious sides chase World Cup history.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar Eye Vital Points in Entertaining Contest

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar meet in a fixture that promises goals and drama as both nations pursue crucial points in their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s recent World Cup matches have been notably entertaining, with their last five games at the tournament producing an average of three goals per match. That statistic underlines the attacking approach often associated with the Balkan side.

Qatar, meanwhile, prepare for another stern examination against European opposition. The Gulf nation will be facing a European team at the World Cup for only the third time in their history and will be eager to improve their record against sides from the continent.

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Both teams recognise the importance of the fixture, with qualification hopes potentially hanging in the balance. Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to their attacking strengths, while Qatar will aim to demonstrate the progress they have made on football’s biggest stage.

With both sides capable of producing moments of quality, spectators could be treated to another high-scoring encounter.

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