There’s nothing like a David-Goliath fight to spice up a World Cup! FIFA’s quadrennial spectacle brings the best out of the underdogs as much as the favourites, often upsetting the pre-match predictions and equations.
Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features one such ‘underdog’ team that set the 2022 edition in Qatar on fire – Morocco. With one of the greatest footballing nations, too, in the group, it will be interesting to see who comes first and who second, as two teams of the four advance to the knockout stages.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti
BRAZIL: Vinícius Júnior
Widely considered as one of the best players at this World Cup, Vini is expected to play a crucial role (in the possible extended absence of Neymar) if Brazil are to go the distance. His pace, dribbling and finishing abilities make him the ultimate difference-maker. As one of the best wingers in business, the 25-year-old will spearhead the attack with Raphinha and Matheus Cunha or Igor Thiago.
That he has played under current Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, comes as a huge plus. Under the Italian maestro, Vini has played 198 matches and scored 90 goals and 67 assists. But, he is yet to replicate his club form in national colours. In 48 matches for Brazil, he has scored only nine goals and as many assists. That is one record he would be looking to set right at this World Cup. He has started off in style, scoring the opener in Brazil’s 6-2 rout of Panama in the recent friendly ahead of the World Cup.
MOROCCO: Achraf Hakimi
Morocco’s historic semifinal run in 2022 has cemented their position as one of the key challengers this year. Under Walid Regragui, the 'Atlas Lions' turned out to be giant-killers in Qatar, beating Croatia (in group stage), Belgium, Spain and Portugal. They may have a new coach in Mohamed Ouahbi now, but they still have a formidable squad, and boast tactical flexibility and defensive organisation.
With Achraf Hakimi – currently one of the best full-backs on the planet – leading their side, they would be hoping to do a repeat. His blistering speed, overlapping runs, and defensive work rate anchor the Moroccan right flank. He helped Morocco win an Olympic bronze medal in 2024 and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 after Senegal's 1-0 win in the final was overturned. The same year, he was also named African Footballer of the Year. The 27-year-old has won 95 caps for Morocco, scoring 11 goals and providing 19 assists.
SCOTLAND: Scott McTominay
Scotland are the dark horses in the group, and are expected to rely heavily on set-pieces and organised defensive shape to challenge the top two teams. Midfield general Scott McTominay will be key to their plans, with his physical and dynamic presence. His superb overhead-kick in the win over Denmark clinched their finals place.
His box-to-box presence, physicality, and knack for scoring crucial goals are critical to Scotland's chances. He was the top scorer with seven goals in the Euro 2024 qualification campaign. He has found the net 14 times in 69 matches and has four assists to his name. McTominay’s move to Napoli in 2024 from Manchester United proved to be a masterstroke. He won the title in his first season and also being named Serie A MVP. The 29-year-old’s performances even earned him a Ballon d'Or nomination.
HAITI: Duckens Nazon
Picture this. Haiti's French coach Sebastien Migne has never been to the Caribbean island since his appointment in 2024, because of internal conflict in the country! The team will be looking up to their talismanic striker Duckens Nazon to spring a surprise in this World Cup. With 44 goals in 80 games (and 11 assists), including a hat-trick in their qualification match away to Costa Rica, Nazon is Haiti's all-time leading scorer.
The 32-year-old, who is currently with Iranian club Esteghlal, has played in France, England, Belgium, Scotland, Bulgaria, Turkey and India. He had a stint with the Kerala Blasters in 2016-17.
