Scotland vs Brazil: Top five players to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Matheus Cunha & Scott McTominay

Brazil won their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Haiti in GW-2

An exciting final week of action awaits in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with three of the four teams still in contention for a place in the knockout stages. While Morocco have what appears to be a relatively straightforward fixture against Haiti, Brazil face a much tougher challenge against Scotland. The match is scheduled to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA, on June 24.

Scotland have shown throughout this World Cup that they are capable of competing against strong opposition. They secured a victory against Haiti in their opening match before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in their second game. An early defensive lapse proved costly, but Scotland still created opportunities and remained competitive throughout the contest.

Brazil, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive 3-0 victory over Haiti. After being held to a draw by Morocco in their opening fixture, Carlo Ancelotti’s side responded emphatically, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice and Vinicius Junior adding another goal. Brazil dominated the match and even had a few additional goals ruled out for offside.

Both teams need a victory to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages as one of the top two sides in the group. A draw would be enough for Brazil to progress, while Scotland would need Morocco to lose or rely on favorable results elsewhere to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Here are five players who could have a major impact on the outcome of this crucial encounter:

Top five players to watch for Scotland vs Brazil

S.No.	Player Name	Country
1	Matheus Cunha	Brazil
2	Vinicius Junior	Brazil
3	Scott McTominay	Scotland
4	Rayan	Brazil
5	Angus Gunn	Scotland

5. Angus Gunn

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn produced one of the standout performances of the previous matchday against Morocco. The Nottingham Forest shot-stopper made a series of crucial saves to prevent Morocco from extending their lead and kept Scotland in the game throughout the ninety minutes.

Gunn’s biggest strengths are his shot-stopping ability, quick reflexes, and commanding presence in the penalty area. He is also effective when dealing with crosses, regularly coming off his line to claim or punch deliveries into the box. Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages could largely depend on Gunn’s performance against Brazil who are expected to create numerous scoring opportunities.

4. Rayan

Ahead of the World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti raised a few eyebrows by including 19-year-old Rayan in Brazil’s squad ahead of more experienced options such as Antony. The Bournemouth winger is expected to have a larger role against Scotland following the injury suffered by Raphinha in the previous game against Haiti.

Rayan recently scored his first goal for Brazil in just his second appearance for the national team against Panama. He possesses an imposing physical presence on the wing and is highly effective at progressing the ball through his dribbles. His left-footed shooting ability is another major asset, and although he had a goal ruled out for offside earlier in the tournament, he has already shown glimpses of the quality that earned him a place in the squad.

3. Scott McTominay

Scott McTominay remains Scotland’s biggest attacking threat despite not finding the back of the net in the opening two matches. The midfielder played a crucial role in Scotland’s qualification campaign, scoring several important goals to help his nation return to the FIFA World Cup after a 28-year absence.

McTominay has successfully reinvented himself as an advanced midfielder/secondary striker who regularly makes late runs into the penalty area. His physicality allows him to compete aggressively in midfield battles, while his ability to strike the ball from distance makes him dangerous around the edge of the box. He also poses a significant threat from set-pieces thanks to his aerial strength and timing in the air.

2. Vinicius Junior

The Real Madrid forward heads into the game against Scotland in excellent form after scoring in both of Brazil’s matches against Morocco and Haiti. Vinicius appears to be thriving under Carlo Ancelotti, becoming more productive in front of goal and contributing more consistently for the national team than he did under previous managers.

He remains one of Brazil’s primary attacking threats, particularly during transitions when he can exploit space from the left wing. His dribbling ability is among the best in world football, and his tendency to cut inside from wide positions and attack goal makes him a constant danger for opposition defences.

1. Matheus Cunha

Matheus Cunha is enjoying an excellent World Cup campaign, having scored two goals in two matches so far. The Manchester United striker arrived at the tournament following a strong finish to the domestic season, registering five goal contributions in his final seven games. He has carried that momentum into international football, producing an impressive cameo from the bench in Brazil’s opening match before scoring a brace against Haiti.

With Joao Pedro not included in the squad, Endrick struggling for regular minutes, and Igor Thiago finding it difficult to establish himself at international level, Cunha appears firmly established as Brazil’s first-choice striker as long as he remains fit.

Cunha offers a complete package in attack. He combines the instincts of a poacher with the movement of a false nine, making intelligent runs behind defenses while also dropping deeper to link play. His clinical finishing, hold-up ability, and pace make him a difficult player for defenders to contain.

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