Scotland face Belarus in their second qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Steve Clarke's team earned a creditable point away to Denmark last time out, battling to a 0-0 draw in what was arguably the toughest game they will face in Group C.
They must now attempt to build on that result by taking all three points against Belarus, who were thrashed 5-1 by Greece in their opening game of this qualification cycle and are 54 places below Scotland in the FIFA rankings.
Although this fixture is nominally a home game for Belarus, it will take place in Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary. UEFA issued sanctions against Belarusian clubs and national teams due to the country's support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, meaning this game must be played at a neutral venue and without fans attending.
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Belarus vs. Scotland lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, rosters
Belarus were blown away in the first half of their game in Greece, and head coach Carlos Alos will be desperate to avoid a repeat in a game that they realistically need to win to boost their chances of qualifying.
Herman Barkouski is an option in attack instead of inexperienced 18-year-old Trofim Melnichenko, the former having come off the bench last time out to score a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
Veteran defender Alyaksandr Martynovich was taken off after 54 minutes in Piraeus and may be replaced here by Zakhar Volkov.
Belarus predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Pavlyuchenko (GK) — Pigas, Volkov, Zabelin, Pyachenin — Gromyko, Korzun, Yablonski, Kavalyow — Barkouski, Ebong
Team A full roster
Goalkeepers: Sergei Ignatovich, Pavel Pavlyuchenko, Fedor Lapoukhov
Defenders: Kirill Pechenin, Pavel Zabelin, Aleksandr Martynovich, Yegor Parkhomenko, Sergei Karpovich, Vladislav Kalinin, Vladislav Malkevich, Zakhar Volkov, Vadim Pigas
Midfielders: Maksim Myakish, Nikita Demchenko, Maks Ebonh, Valeri Gromyko, Evgeni Yablonski, Nikita Korzun, Ramanb Pasevich
Forwards: Evgeni Malashevich, German Barkovski, Yuri Kovalev, Trofim Melnichenko
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Clark suggested he would make changes for this game, perhaps motivated by the fact Scotland are expected to be more front-footed and go for the win.
That could mean Ben Doak is given a chance in attack after only making a substitute appearance in Copenhagen, while midfielder Billy Gilmour could also come in if there is a slight shift in formation from 4-2-3-1 to a more attack-minded 4-4-2.
The defence is likely to be unchanged given how well they shut down Denmark in their last game.
Scotland predicted starting lineup (4-4-2, right to left): Gunn (GK) — Hickey, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson — McGinn, Gilmour, McTominay, McLean — Doak, Adams
Scotland full roster
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Zander Clark, Liam Kelly
Defenders: Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, John Souttar, Aaron Hickey, Max Johnston, Josh Doig, Dominic Hyam
Midfielders: John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie, Kenny McLean, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Doak, Lennon Miller
Forwards: Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams, George Hirst, Kieron Bowie.
Belarus vs. Scotland match details
- Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8:45 p.m. local / 12:15 a.m. IST (Sep. 9)
- Location: ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg (Hungary)
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying
- Referee: Nikola Dabanovic (MNE)