Head coach Melissa Andreatta is hoping to guide Scotland to a first World Cup since 2019
Published March 2, 2026 • Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cly2m5epp4do
By Amy Canavan BBC Sport Scotland in Luxembourg
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 iPlayer 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 18:30 GMT
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What is Scotland's route to the finals?
In short, a long one.
Scotland cannot qualify automatically for the World Cup because they were relegated from League Aof 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.
Who are Scotland facing in Group B4?
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 (18:30 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.
What are the Scotland camp saying?
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."