World Cup guide: everything you need to know about Group C
· Yahoo Sports
The FIFA World Cup is almost here. With kick-off fast approaching, Playmaker is taking a closer look at all 48 participating nations across 12 articles - one for each group in the tournament. From likely starting XIs to the key players to watch, we've got everything you need to know ahead of the biggest competition in world football.
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We now turn our attention to Group C, one of the more intriguing groups in the tournament. It features one of football’s traditional powerhouses - a member of the exclusive club of eight nations to have lifted the World Cup - but also includes a recent World Cup surprise package, a long-awaited return and one of the most unexpected qualifiers in the competition.
Brazil headline the group and, as always, arrive carrying the weight of expectation that comes with their rich history. The Seleção remain the most successful nation in World Cup history, having lifted the trophy five times - in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. With a squad packed with talent and the added intrigue of Carlo Ancelotti in charge, they are once again among the leading contenders for the title.
The battle behind them promises to be fascinating. Morocco return looking to build on the remarkable run that took them to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, while Scotland are back on football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998. Haiti, meanwhile, complete the group and return to the World Cup after a remarkable 52-year absence, eager to make the most of a rare opportunity in the global spotlight.
Morocco
Number of appearances: seven
Best performance: 4th place
Morocco are no longer a surprise package on the international stage. The Atlas Lions are heading into their third consecutive World Cup and arrive with growing expectations after their historic run in 2022.
Four years ago, they captured global attention by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Along the way, they famously knocked out Portugal before eventually falling to France, and finished fourth overall - comfortably the best result in the country's history.
That achievement has only strengthened the belief around this squad. Morocco arrive at the tournament as reigning African champions, albeit after a controversial AFCON final against Senegal, and carry the responsibility of representing a continent that continues to push for greater success on football's biggest stage.
The squad is packed with quality, with many of its key players now established at top European clubs. Morocco will believe they can challenge Brazil for first place in the group and will be aiming to match - or even surpass - the remarkable standard they set in Qatar four years ago.
The head coach - Mohamed Ouahbi
Ouahbi is only 49 and this will be his first experience as a senior international manager at a major tournament. Before stepping into the role, he built his reputation in youth development, including a spell within Anderlecht’s highly regarded academy system.
Over the last four years, he has worked closely with the Moroccan Football Federation, coaching various age groups from the Under-18s through to the Under-23s. That experience gave him a deep understanding of the country's emerging talent and helped smooth his transition to the senior setup.
The star - Achraf Hakimi
For many years, Moroccan football has often been synonymous with the right-back. He is the standout figure for his country and a driving force for both club and national team, powering forward down the right flank with relentless energy.
At one stage, he even played in a more advanced role for Morocco, but as the squad has evolved and attacking options have grown, he has been moved back into his natural position. From there, he continues to be one of the team’s most important outlets.
So much of Morocco’s threat still flows through that right-hand side, and many of the nation’s hopes rest on his influence in that area of the pitch.
One to watch - Ayyoub Bouaddi
He is a recent addition to the senior setup. He previously captained France’s U21 side but opted to switch allegiance to Morocco ahead of this World Cup.
Still only 18, he has already stood out as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young talents over the past two seasons, impressing with Lille through his energy, composure and all-round midfield presence. A dynamic box-to-box midfielder, he offers both defensive bite and forward drive, and looks capable of carrying Morocco’s ambitions a long way.
Other key players:Youssef En-Nesyri (Al-Ittihad), Yassine Bono (Al-Hilal), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United), Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis) and Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid)
Haiti
Number of appearances: two
Best performance: group stage
The expanded format of this World Cup also opens the door for some of the more “exotic” and less experienced nations to make their mark, and Haiti are a clear example of that.
It might come as a surprise, but this is not actually their first appearance at a World Cup, although most fans will struggle to recall their debut, which dates back to 1974 in West Germany.
As a CONCACAF nation, Haiti sit a step below the likes of Canada, Mexico and the United States - the tournament hosts - as well as Costa Rica and Jamaica. However, they made the most of a favourable qualifying path, taking advantage of some of those stronger sides missing out to secure a historic place at the finals via the play-offs, where they beat Nicaragua 2-0.
While Haitian players are not widely known on the global stage - with only two squad members currently playing in Europe’s top five leagues - the team has quietly built up experience abroad and arrives with a growing sense of belief as they prepare to test themselves on football’s biggest stage.
The head coach - Sébastien Migné
Far from being a household name in world football, he is an experienced coach at international level, having already taken charge of Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and DR Congo’s U20 side, as well as serving as assistant coach with Oman.
He has also been involved in major continental competitions, including the Gold Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, giving him a solid grounding in tournament football. Still, nothing quite compares to a World Cup debut.
History has already been made - now he is looking to go one step further and leave a lasting mark on the biggest stage of them all.
The star - Wilson Isidor
Alongside Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, he is one of the biggest names in his country, with only two players from Haiti currently featuring in Europe’s top five leagues - both in the Premier League.
He has been one of Sunderland’s standout performers this season, scoring six goals and quickly establishing himself as a key figure in the side. A recent addition to this Haiti squad, he arrives with growing confidence and will be eager to make an impact on the biggest stage, ideally by getting on the scoresheet.
One to watch - Jean-Ricner Bellegarde
He has already been mentioned, but he deserves a section of his own. He is the engine of this team’s midfield and often its heartbeat, standing out as one of the most technically gifted players in the country, even within clear limitations.
His experience in both the Premier League and Ligue 1 will be invaluable, providing a point of reference for his teammates - all of whom, like him, are making their World Cup debuts.
Other key players:Ricardo Adé (LDU Quito), (Vizela), Lenny Joseph (Ferencváros)
Scotland
Number of appearances: nine
Best performance: group stage
Once upon a time, Scotland were almost regulars at the World Cup, making several appearances from the 1950s through to the end of the last century, even if there were a few gaps along the way. However, the turn of the century brought a long absence, only now brought to an end this year.
Their qualifying campaign was close to flawless, as they finished top of their group ahead of Denmark - one of the notable absentees from the tournament - as well as Greece and Belarus. They also came close to retaining their place in League A of the Nations League, only narrowly missing out after a play-off defeat to Greece.
They head into the tournament full of confidence and, in a group with only one clear favourite, will believe they can push for a historic place in the knockout rounds.
The head coach - Steve Clarke
A six-time Scotland international as a player, Steve Clarke spent much of his playing career at Chelsea, but also built a strong reputation away from the pitch. After years working as an assistant coach, he eventually stepped into management on his own and took charge of his country in 2019.
Since then, he has overseen a major transformation in Scottish football, guiding Scotland to qualification for two European Championships and now a long-awaited return to the World Cup stage. In the process, he has become the defining figure of this new era, symbolising the team’s progress and renewed belief.
The star - Scott McTominay
After finding himself on the fringes at Old Trafford, he made the move to Italy and to the demanding but football-mad city of Naples - a switch that completely transformed his career.
There, he moved away from his more defensive midfield role and began operating further up the pitch, unlocking a new level in his game. The past two seasons have been comfortably the best of his career.
Today, he is regarded as one of the world’s leading box-to-box midfielders and now steps into the tournament as one of his country’s key figures. Scott McTominay will be at the World Cup.
One to watch - John McGinn
If McTominay is the biggest name, McGinn is not far behind. He arrives full of confidence after arguably the best individual season of his career, as well as a strong collective one, having helped Aston Villa lift the Europa League.
He will be a hugely important supporting figure for Scotland, capable of influencing games whether deployed through the middle or out wide - two roles he is very comfortable in.
Other key players:Nathan Patterson (Everton), Che Adams (Torino), Billy Gilmour (Napoli) and Lewis Ferguson (Bologna)
Brazil
Number of appearances: 23
Best performance: winners (five times)
Thinking about the World Cup means thinking about Brazil. They are one of the competition’s defining teams, holding the record for most appearances (23) and the most titles in history (five). Year after year, they feel almost made for this stage, even when circumstances are at their toughest.
However, qualification for this edition was far from straightforward. There were even moments when a historic absence looked possible, but Carlo Ancelotti, in his first World Cup as Brazil head coach, steadied the ship in the closing stages of CONMEBOL qualifying. Benefiting from the expanded number of South American places, Brazil ultimately secured their ticket and arrive in search of a sixth world crown.
Even so, they come into the tournament with more questions than usual. Beyond an inconsistent qualifying campaign, the squad has also sparked debate, with some suggesting it lacks the same depth of iconic names seen in previous generations. As always with Brazil, managing expectations, squad balance and individual roles will be crucial.
Neymar, meanwhile, enters what could be his final World Cup - but the big question remains: will he still be the central figure for Brazil on this stage?
The head coach - Carlo Ancelotti
The experienced Italian has taken on a new challenge in his career, with the difficult task of leading a demanding Brazil side during a period full of uncertainty.
Without the same depth of talent seen in previous generations, there is plenty of work to be done, but he is often regarded as the right man for this kind of high-pressure assignment.
The star - Vinícius Júnior
Despite the numbers, it was far from the best season of his career, particularly in terms of consistency - perhaps a reflection of the situation in Madrid throughout the campaign, which affected several of the team’s key stars.
Now, he returns for his second World Cup as the figurehead of his country, but he will need to back that status up on the pitch.
One to watch - Rayan
Half a season in Europe - including a spell in the Premier League - was enough to confirm the talent many had long expected from him, earning a deserved call-up to his first World Cup.
Breaking into a crowded attacking line will not be easy, but when opportunities come, he will be determined to make the most of them and light up the stage in the process.
Other key players:Raphinha (Barcelona), Neymar (Santos), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) and Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)