2026 World Cup Group C: Brazil is the favorite, while Haiti emerges as the history-chasing dark horse.

2026 World Cup Group C serves up a blend of tradition, ambition, and potential upset opportunities. When the world's largest Football tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico on 12 June WIB, focus will fall on the contest between four very different nations: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.

On paper, Brazil are the clear favourites to progress to the Round of 32. But beneath the Seleção's established dominance, one team carries the potential to steal the spotlight and shift the group's competitive balance: Haiti. This Caribbean nation returns to the World Cup finals driven to carve out new history for themselves.

According to FIFA's official analysis, Brazil are not only tipped to finish top of Group C, they are also listed among the strongest overall contenders for the World Cup title. This standing is built on their long tournament pedigree and the quality of their current squad.

The Samba Boys remain the most successful nation in World Cup history, with five championship titles won in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Even after more than two decades without lifting the trophy, Brazil still stand as one of the most respected and feared forces in international football.

Brazil arrive at the tournament with a balanced mix of veteran leaders and promising young talent, all under the management of head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Neymar Jr, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha will lead the team's attacking threat. Defensively, Alisson Becker's reliable goalkeeping and Marquinhos' on-pitch leadership provide a solid foundation for the side.

With deep squad depth and proven international tournament experience, Brazil have one unambiguous target: end their long trophy drought and claim their sixth World Cup crown.

Even so, Brazil's route out of the group stage will be far from straightforward. Morocco emerge as their main challenger, following their historic 2022 World Cup run where they became the first ever African nation to reach the tournament semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions retain most of their core squad from the Qatar World Cup. With star players including Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco remain a side that demands full respect.

Under head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, the team have set even greater ambitions than they held four years ago. Having reached the final four last tournament, Morocco are aiming to advance even further and prove their 2022 achievement was not a one-off.

Elsewhere, Scotland carry their own remarkable story into the group. After waiting 28 long years, the nation has finally qualified for the World Cup finals once again.

Their victory over Denmark in November 2025 ended an absence stretching all the way back to the 1998 World Cup in France. Led by Steve Clarke, this Scotland squad is built around a mature, experienced generation of players.

Captain Andy Robertson will lead a side featuring Scott McTominay, Ryan Christie, John McGinn and Che Adams. This lineup gives the Tartan Army genuine hope they can compete properly, rather than simply acting as filler in Group C.

Yet for all the attention directed towards Brazil, Morocco and Scotland, Haiti may well become the most compelling story of this entire group.

Les Grenadiers are appearing at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974. While Haiti's presence has received little mainstream pre-tournament discussion, their qualifying run proved this is not a team that can be dismissed lightly.

Under manager Sebastien Migne, the side delivered consistent performances throughout the CONCACAF qualification process. After finishing runners-up behind Curacao in an earlier group phase, Haiti regrouped and produced much more solid football in the final qualifying round.

They held their own against established nations including Costa Rica and Honduras to secure top spot in their qualifying group and book their ticket to the finals.

On the pitch, Haiti will be built around their captain and primary goalscorer Duckens Nazon. This experienced striker will act as the team's focal point, supported by Frantzdy Pierrot and a group of diaspora players active in professional leagues across Europe and North America.

While they lack the glorious tournament history of Brazil or the recent big-stage experience of Morocco, Haiti travel with the raw, determined motivation to create history.

On their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, Haiti were eliminated at the group stage. Now, over half a century later, they have been granted a new chance to rewrite that record.