Football

Scotland 2-1 Belarus FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Adams, McTominay Strike As Scots Seal Playoff Berth After Nervy Win

Scotland took a big step toward the 2026 World Cup with a tense 2-1 victory over Belarus at Hampden Park. Ché Adams opened the scoring in the 15th minute, while Scott McTominay doubled the lead late on after a controversial disallowed equalizer for Belarus. The visitors, who looked more ambitious than expected, pulled one back in stoppage time through Hleb Kuchko, but the Scots held on despite a nervy finish. The result guarantees Scotland at least a playoff spot from Group C, yet their performance left plenty of questions ahead of decisive matches against Greece and Denmark.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland players celebrate after the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Gleb Kuchko
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Steve Welsh/PA via AP

Belarus' Gleb Kuchko scores their side's first goal during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Scott McTominay
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Scott McTominay, left, celebrates scoring their side's second goal during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Che Adams
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Che Adams, left, and Belarus' Aleksandr Martynovich battle for the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Che Adams
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Che Adams scores a goal that was later disallowed by VAR during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Ben Doak
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Ben Doak, left, and Belarus' Pavel Zabelin challenge for the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Scott McTominay
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Steve Welsh/PA via AP

Scotland's Scott McTominay, centre, and Belarus' Vadim Pigas battle for the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Billy Gilmour
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Billy Gilmour, left, and Belarus' German Barkovsky battle for the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_German Barkovskiy
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Steve Welsh/PA via AP

Belarus' German Barkovskiy shoots the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C Euopean Qualifiers Scotland Vs Belarus_Che Adams
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Scotland Vs Belarus | Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA via AP

Scotland's Che Adams, left, celebrates scoring their side's first goal during during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Scotland and Belarus at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

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