Article body analysed
Head coach Melissa Andreatta is hoping to guide Scotland to a first World Cup since 2019 The road to Brazil 2027 starts here for Scotland. Belgium, Israel and firstly, Luxembourg, are the initial hurdles in the way of Melissa Andreatta's side on their quest to appear at a first women's World Cup since 2019. The Scots are in Group B4, which means it's not as straightforward as topping this group, qualifying automatically and booking hotels in Brasilia for next summer. There will be play-offs to negotiate. But before Scotland's opener out in Luxembourg - which is live on BBC i Player and the BBC Sport app and website - Andreatta says her squad are "very driven and so determined to do whatever it takes to get there. " Here, BBC Scotland explains what lies ahead. Watch: Luxembourg v Scotland Tuesday, 3 March at 19: 30 GMT BBC Scotland, i Player and the BBC Sport website & app In short, a long one. 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. The aim will be to do something similar over the next few months though Belgium - who are the pot one team - are eight places above Scotland in the Fifa rankings. 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. Still with me? 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. Depending on what unfolds, that could be Scotland. Weir 'more determined than ever' to make World Cup The Australian aiming to guide Scotland to World Cup What have we learned from Scotland in 2025? Luxembourg (3 March & 7 March): Up first, Luxembourg. Ranked 108th in the world, Scotland ought to be picking up maximum points against the bottom seeds. Tuesday night's meeting (19: 30 GMT) will be the first between the sides, before they play each other again on Saturday at Hampden, at 17: 00 on BBC Alba. Dan Santos' side won promotion to League B after finishing their Nations League group unbeaten ahead of Kazakhstan, Armenia and Liechtenstein. Belgium (14 April & 18 April): This, on paper, looks to be the decisive double-header. Scotland have faced Belgium 13 times, winning five, drawing three and losing five. The latest two meetings came in Nations League A, with both matches drawn 1-1 in September 2023 at Hampden and three months later in Leuven. The Belgians, who are in League B after play-off defeat by Republic of Ireland, come to Easter Road before hosting the Scots again at Den Dreef. Israel (5 June & 9 June): Scotland yet again meet the side ranked 69th in the world. They last played Israel in June 2024, winning 5-0 in neutral Hungary after a 4-1 win at Hampden the previous month. The Scots have won all four meetings so far. Details of where those fixtures will be fulfilled are still to be confirmed. This video can not be played Andreatta reveals Clarke message as Scotland women prepare to start campaign Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "We had a nice message from Steve Clarke wishing us well for this campaign and he said there's something special about the Scottish way. "Like the boys, we have a very driven group and they're so determined to do whatever it takes to get there. "There's always a great story in this - it's not about the setback, it's the comeback. That's what the players are focused on but it all starts with the most important moment and that's Tuesday night. " Scotland captain Caroline Weir: "It's a fresh feel, it's really exciting. "It does feel different within the squad and I'm so excited to get going. I think we're ready to go and hopefully we start strongly this week. "I would say I'm borderline desperate to be at the World Cup because I want it more than ever. "I really want to be there with this team and staff. I can't really say there's anything else that I want to achieve apart from getting to that World Cup. " How can football's lawmakers fix the corner chaos? How sport is dealing with Middle East travel disruption Why Archer may hold key for England against 'fearsome' India A classic studio concert by Oasis All the latest action from the Premier League reviewed An intense drama where AI deepfakes have blurred reality The army officer who made history at the 1952 Summer Olympics 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs How can football's lawmakers fix Premier League corner chaos? 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary Reshuffled flights and players stuck - how sport is navigating Middle East crisis 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' 'Ugly' or 'beautiful'? Set-pieces prove decisive for Arsenal again New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? India see off West Indies to book semi-final with England. Video India see off West Indies to book semi-final with England Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months 'Hearts & Motherwell the winners after damaging Old Firm stalemate' 'Out of absolutely nothing' - Lamine Yamal's solo stunner. Video'Out of absolutely nothing' - Lamine Yamal's solo stunner Would it be bigger gamble not to give Carrick Man Utd job? Predict F1 drivers' and constructors' championships How do Lionesses solve full-back succession problem? The moment I told my mum I wanted to stop football - and how life changed All you need to know about Netball Super League 2026 'He had it all' - Taylor pays emotional tribute to Virgo. Video'He had it all' - Taylor pays emotional tribute to Virgo The 'rare combination' behind Britain's youngest F1 driver 'Equal in decay' - Mayweather v Pacquiao is another boxing 'carnival' How safe is bare-knuckle boxing as it fights for mainstream appeal? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
