Your guide to Scotland's 2027 World Cup qualifiers

"Scotland cannot qualify automatically for the World Cup because they were relegated from League A of the Nations League last year, and so are in the second tier of qualifying, League B. When they were most recently at this level, en route to Euro 2025 play-off final defeat by Finland, Scotland went unbeaten in a group with Serbia, Slovakia and Israel."

"Assuming the Scots avoid bottom spot, they will progress to round one of the play-offs later this year. Should Andreatta's side win the group, they will face a side who finished as runners-up or third from another League B section. If they finish second or third, they will face a side who finished fourth in a League A group, or a Group B winner."

"If the first round is negotiated, round two - starting in late November - is seeded and, should Scotland get that far, they would likely face League A opposition. Even then, Scotland might not be in carnival mood. The lowest-ranked of the eight European teams who come through the play-offs will go into inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027."

Scotland's path to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil requires navigating a complex qualifying structure. After relegation from League A of the Nations League, Scotland competes in League B Group B4 alongside Belgium, Israel, and Luxembourg. Unlike automatic qualification for group winners, Scotland must progress through multiple play-off rounds. If they avoid last place, they advance to round one play-offs later in the year. Winning the group offers a more favorable draw against runners-up or third-place finishers from other League B groups, while finishing lower means facing League A opposition. A second round of seeded play-offs begins in November, with the lowest-ranked European qualifier potentially facing inter-confederation play-offs in February 2027.

Read at www.bbc.com