2026 World Cup

“I’d love to go back to Mexico”: Scotland boss dreams of facing Mexico ahead of Brazil match

Steve Clarke, who beat Mexico at the Azteca Stadium as a player in 1983, could return to Mexico City to face El Tri in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 as Scotland manager.

CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

Eduardo Garcia Romero David Nelson

Ciudad de México Update: Jun 24th, 2026 14:31 EDT

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Soccer rarely repeats itself, but when it does, the story often carries extra significance. Steve Clarke, Scotland’s current head coach, could return to Mexico City’s iconic stadium more than four decades after winning there as a player.

In 1983, Clarke was part of the Scotland side that defeated Mexico 1-0 at the Azteca. Now, during the 2026 World Cup, that memory has resurfaced because of a very real possibility: facing El Tri in the Round of 32.

Clarke’s appearance came during a Scotland tour of Mexico in 1983, when the two nations played a pair of friendlies as Mexico prepared for upcoming international competitions.

A memory that lives on from 1983

Clarke himself acknowledged it with a smile during a press conference. His connection to Mexico is neither recent nor symbolic. It is part of his own history.

“First, we have to qualify, and I’d love to go back to the Azteca Stadium. I played there in ’83 when I was young and fit. Scotland beat Mexico 1-0 that day. If it happens, I’d like to repeat it,” the Scotland coach said.

The remark did not go unnoticed. The stage may be set, but there is still a long way to go.

Scotland’s qualification on the line against Brazil

Scotland’s position in the tournament remains delicate. They opened their campaign with a narrow victory over Haiti, a result that briefly lifted them to the top of the group.

However, a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in their second match tightened the standings and left everything to play for heading into the final round of group games.

Their decisive matchup comes against Brazil, where the equation is simple: a win guarantees a place in the Round of 32. A draw also almost certainly keeps Scotland’s chances alive as one of the tournament’s best third-place finishers, while a narrow defeat might just be enough to see them through. A serious mauling however will almost certainly see them out.

You can work out what Scotland’s chances are using our World Cup calculator.

A potential showdown already taking shape

On the projected 2026 World Cup bracket, a possible meeting between Mexico and Scotland has already emerged in Bracket 3 of the Round of 32.

Scotland is currently projected to finish third in Group C, which would open the door to a direct clash with El Tri. It may not be the most likely scenario, but it is certainly one of the most intriguing because of the history behind it.

Mexico City could become the meeting point once again

The most recent meeting between the two nations came in 2018, when Mexico defeated Scotland 1-0 in a friendly at the Azteca Stadium as preparation for the World Cup in Russia.

This time, the stakes would be entirely different: a knockout match at the same venue where Clarke’s story with Mexico began.

The Scotland manager has already made it clear that the prospect does not intimidate him. Quite the opposite.

“If we have to go to Mexico to play Mexico, we’ll be happy because it will mean we qualified. We’ll be very happy to have the chance to go.”

First, though, Scotland must navigate its toughest challenge yet against Brazil. Only then could Mexico City once again become the setting for a story that began in 1983 and may be revived at the 2026 World Cup.