Scotland WC2026 Group Stage Permutations

Scotland's 3rd Place Permutations

With Scotland are guaranteed third place, what would be the scenarios and permutations in the event Scotland end up with 3 points and a reasonable goal difference (i.e. -1)?
The following won't mean anything if Scotland manage to nick a result against Brazil!

Group A

If both Czechia and South Africa fail to bear Mexico and South Korea respectively, the Group A 3rd place side will have at most 2pts. Scotland would be better than Group A's 3rd place.
Another acceptable scenario is if South Africa beat South Korea convincingly (and Czechia fail to beat Mexico), South Korea will have 3 pts. Scotland need to "better" (lose by less goals) South Korea's result.
Scotland beating Group A's 3rd place: LIKELY
Scotland should support: Mexico & South Korea

Group B

As Qatar and Bosnia face each other for 3rd place, the only acceptable result is a draw as the winner would join Canada and Switzerland on 4pts (or more)
Scotland beating Group B's 3rd place: UNLIKELY (Qatar lost 6-0 to Canada)
Scotland should support: DRAW between Qatar & Bosnia

Group D

Only Austalia v Paraguay game matters (as USA will win the group and Turkey will finish 4th). Paraguay has a worse goal difference.
Another Acceptable Scenario is if Paraguay beat Australia convincingly, they will have a poorer goal difference. Scotland need to lose by less goals than Australia in this scenario.
Scotland beating Group D's 3rd place: 50/50 (If Australia play with straight bat they should beat Paraguay but Paraguay and Australia playing out a draw benefits both sides)
Scotland should support: Australia

Group E

Note: Group E is similar to Group A!
If both Ecuador and Curacao fail to beat Germany and Ivory Coast respectively, the Group E 3rd place side will have at most 2pts. Scotland would be better than Group E's 3rd place.
Another acceptable scenario is if Curacao beat Ivory Coast convincingly (and Ecuador fail to beat Germany), Ivory Coast will have 3 pts. Scotland need to "better" (lose by less goals) Ivory Coast's result.
Scotland beating Group E's 3rd place: LIKELY
Scotland should support: Germany & Ivory Coast

Group F

As Tunisia will finish 4th regardless and Netherlands have 4pts already, only the Japan vs Sweden game matters. As Sweden and Scotland have same goal difference but Sweden have more goals scored, only Japan beating Sweden convincingly will suffice. Specifically Scotland need to lose by less goals than Sweden.
Scotland beating Group E's 3rd place: 50/50
Scotland should support: Japan

Group G

Note: Group G is smiliar to Group H!
Egypt beating Iran is the only acceptable scenario as that would leave Iran on 2pts. A draw would leave Iran on 3pts with a GD of zero and no good to Scotland.
Match between Belgium and NZ is irrelevant, as regardless of result one of them will have 3pts (with a GD of zero) or more, which would be better than Scotland.
Scotland beating Group G's 3rd place: LIKELY
Scotland should support: Egypt

Group H

Spain beating Uruguay is the only acceptable scenario as that would leave Urugary on 2pts. A draw would leave Urugary on 3pts with a GD of zero and no good to Scotland.
Match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia is irrelevant, as regardless of result one of them will have 3pts (with a GD of zero) or more, which would be better than Scotland.
Scotland beating Group H's 3rd place: 50/50
Scotland should support: Spain

Group I

With Senegal and Iraq on 0pts (France & Norway already qualified), a draw would be the most ideal result. Even an Iraqi win would be good as their GD of -6, shouldn't change matters unless they win by 5-0. But with Senegal having a GD of -3, a decent win two goal plus win should put them above Scotland pts/GD total.
Scotland beating Group I's 3rd place: 50/50
Scotland should support: Iraq

Group J

Note: Group J scenario similar to Group D!
Only Austria-Algeria game matters (with Argentina on 6pts and Jordan are out). With Algeria having worse GD (-2), a defeat for them will leave leave Scotland ahead on GD.
If Algeria beat Austria convincingly, specifically Austria lose by more goals than Scotland, then Scotland will finished ahead on GD. A draw would see both Austria and Algeria go through.
Scotland beating Group J's 3rd place: 50/50 (Concern about Austria & Algeria play for a draw)
Scotland should support: Austria

Group K

Only DR Congo vs Uzbekistan game matters. Any result other than DR Congo win will ensure Scotland above this group 3rd place team.
Scotland beating Group J's 3rd place: 50/50
Scotland should support: Uzbekistan

Group L

With England and Ghana on 4pts already and Panama already out, Croatia are the only team that can finish with 3pts. A convincing win for Ghana is the only ideal result that will help Scotland. A Croatia/Ghana draw will see both sides qualify for the round 32.
Scotland beating Group I's 3rd place: UNLIKELY (Concern about Croatia & Ghana play for a draw)
Scotland should support: Ghana

Random Musings - Day #300

I was looking at the weather map and noticed how close Scotland is to Northern Ireland. On closer inspection, it doesn't appear as close as it is from Dover to Calais but apparently you can get from Larne (N.I.) to Cairnryan (Scotland) in an hour by ferry!

McDonalds have pulled out of Iceland. You can work out on your own what the story is about. ;)

It's all about the cut. Once again, computerhope have a good guide.
Actually I am trying to split, mix'n'match fields delimited from a csv file. There's a bunch of useful linux and unix commands at laynetworks and one must get up to speed in using the powerful but tempermental awk.

Random Musings - Day #117

Vicks
Apparently you are not supposed to stick vicks up your nose. The reason is that the petrolatum base might accumulate in the lungs and cause inflammation called chemical pneumonitis according to people's pharmacy. Many people including myself have put vicks just on the inside of the nose, just to get the scent. Due to its strong scent, it disguises any nasty surrounding smells. For example, in a morgue as in Silence of the Lambs. There's even a weird sexual use for it but it's not recommended.

Fitness vs Diet
I read in the newspaper that research suggests that fitness should exercise than diet. I would have thought they go hand in hand. I presume the thinking is that at least when you exercise, you are burning off calories. Mind you this is old news

Coconuts
There was a funny picture of an asian taxi carrying a load of coconut husks. It's amazing that the little taxi didn't topple over

Cup Finals
The FA Premiership finishes very late on May 24 and the FA Cup Final is on May 30.
Unusually, the Champions League Final is not the final game of the season as it's on May 27.

London Marathon 2010
I clean forgot about trying to apply for the London Marathon yesterday and now due to traffic, it's unavailable. Highly disappointing. Here's a report

Scotland
I want to try the Caledonian Sleeper from London to various locations in Scotland. But I'd love to go even further up north. Inverness is probably the main city in Highland Scotland. But if you go there, you have to visit all the surrounding areas. I'd go up to Wick. Nearby is the furtherest point on mainland Britain, John O'Groats. That's another 4 hours by train. Then there's the Orkney and Shetland islands.

Random Musings - Day #74

Moving to Scottish Borders
If I could move to another place around the Scottish/English Border is probably the place to be. Scotland has its own government and have drawn up a proposal to have a minimum price for alcohol. I figure living close to the border you can get the best of both worlds in terms of living and bargains.

Stress and Opposites
I was thinking why do people under stress do the opposite to what they are acheiving. For example, obese people when stressed, turn to food. Whilst thin people trying to put on weight, reject food.

UK Chart
As stated last week, The "Islands in the sun" Comic Relief song would be the danger to Flo Rida and sure enough Ruth Jones/Rob Brydon/Tom Jones replace "Right Round" at #1. Saturdays are back at #3. I wouldn't rule out Flo Rida bouncing back from #2 to #1. Mind you I haven't really been following what the new songs will be.