Scotland are top of the table heading into the second round of group fixtures but Steve Clarke is under no illusions at the size of the task facing them ahead of Friday’s big game against Morocco.
Clarke has warned his side about the quality of the 2022 semi-finalists, who were the better side in their 1-1 draw with Brazil.
“I feel Morocco are a really, really good side,” he told reporters. “They reached the last four of the last World Cup and I have a feeling this Morocco team is slightly better than that, so that gives you an idea of the task ahead.
“They have power, they have pace, they have little bits of skill that can open up a game. For me they are the real deal, a top side. We will have to be at our very best to compete.
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“It is a big challenge for us. We give them a lot of respect. We expect they will probably have more of the ball, more possession. We have to make sure that when we have the ball we can be a threat to Morocco.”
Scotland are expected to adjust their approach as a result but what is the latest team news? And how will both sides line up?
Radio Times brings you the predicted team news for Scotland v Morocco at World Cup 2026.
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Scotland v Morocco team news
Scotland look set to be without centre-back Scott McKenna, who missed their opener against Haiti and was absent from training earlier this week due to a calf injury. That means Jack Hendry and Grant Hanley should reprise their roles at centre-back.
It would be no surprise to see Clarke take a more conservative approach against Morocco, which may mean Ryan Christie starts in midfield, with Scott McTominay pushed further forward and one of the strikers dropping out.
Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi is free of fitness problems and he could well stick with the side that impressed in the 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Scotland v Morocco predicted line-ups
Scotland: Gunn; Hickey, Hanley, Hendry, Robertson; Gannon-Doak, Christie, Ferguson, McGinn; McTominay; Adams
Morocco: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari
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