Morocco draw Brazil and Scotland again as 2026 World Cup replicates iconic 1998 group

A remarkable alignment of football history awaits Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the Atlas Lions have been drawn into Group C to face two familiar opponents from their past: Brazil and Scotland.

The draw sets up a captivating repeat of their 1998 group stage adversaries, providing a distinct sense of déjà vu for Moroccan football fans. Haiti completes the four-team group.

The symmetry is notable, given the expanded 48-team format and the random nature of the draw process.

In the 1998 World Cup hosted by France, Morocco competed in Group A alongside Brazil, Norway, and Scotland.

That tournament ended in heartbreak for Morocco, as they finished third despite a memorable 3-0 victory over the Scots in their final group match.

For Scotland, the 2026 tournament holds extra significance, marking their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage for the first time since that 1998 edition.

Their reunion with both Morocco and the perennial favorites, Brazil, adds a nostalgic storyline to Group C.

Morocco, coming off a historic semi-final run in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, enters this tournament with significantly higher expectations and confidence.

The Atlas Lions will aim to navigate a group that features one of the world’s most dominant football nations and an opponent they historically have had success against.

The matches promise an intriguing blend of fresh ambition and historical rivalry as the three nations prepare to clash on North American soil.