Predicted Lineups: Wednesday 24 June — Scotland v Brazil Headlines a Five-Game World Cup Slate

Quick-reference summary: Colombia: Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, J. Arias; J. Rodríguez, L. Suárez, L. Díaz. Switzerland: Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, R. Rodríguez; Aebischer, Xhaka, Freuler; Rieder; Embolo, Ndoye. Bosnia & Herzegovina: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac; Memic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko. Morocco: Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; Bouaddi, El Aynaoui; B. Díaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari. Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Douglas Santos; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Paquetá; Raphinha, Cunha, Vinícius Júnior.

Colombia v Congo DR (Estadio Akron)

Colombia arrive on a four-game winning run and have no injury concerns, so the only real question is whether Néstor Lorenzo sees any reason to rotate ahead of the knockout rounds.

Colombia (4-3-3)

We expect Lorenzo to name an unchanged XI: the 4-3-3 has clicked, the win rate speaks for itself, and there is no fitness concern to force his hand. Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez remain the creative axis, and we see no reason to disturb either.

Congo DR (5-3-2)

Congo DR carry a WDLDL run into this fixture and need a result to stay alive. We predict the same 5-3-2 structure, with Wissa and Bakambu expected to stay as the strike partnership. The biggest selection doubt is whether coach Sébastien Desabre introduces Théo Bongonda from midfield to add width, but we lean toward continuity.

Switzerland v Canada (BC Place)

The central selection story here is straightforward: Canada must replace Ismael Koné, their most dynamic central midfielder, after his injury ruled him out of the tournament.

Switzerland (4-3-1-2)

Switzerland have been consistent without being spectacular, posting DWDDW, and Murat Yakin has no reason to alter a settled group. Granit Xhaka anchors, Rieder operates in the ten role, and Embolo leads the line. We predict no changes from the Bosnia & Herzegovina fixture.

Canada (4-4-2)

With Koné out, we expect Jesse Marsch to slot Jonathan Osorio into the centre of midfield alongside Stephen Eustáquio. The back four and the David-Larin strike partnership stay intact. The x-factor is whether Alphonso Davies pushes into a more advanced left-sided role as Canada chase a result against a Switzerland side with similar form.

Bosnia & Herzegovina v Qatar (Lumen Field)

Bosnia & Herzegovina's key selection headache is filling the centre-back void left by Tino Muharemović, while Qatar must rebuild their midfield engine room after losing Assim Madibo to injury.

Bosnia & Herzegovina (4-4-2)

We predict Dario Hadzikadunic steps in for the ruled-out Muharemović alongside Nikola Katic. The rest of the 4-4-2 stays as set against Switzerland. Bosnia & Herzegovina have drawn four of their last five and need a win here, so Dzeko and Demirovic are expected to keep their starting places up front.

Qatar (4-3-3)

With both Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo unavailable, Qatar are forced into two changes. Sultan Al Braik comes in at left back to cover Ahmed's absence, and Karim Boudiaf takes the midfield slot vacated by Madibo. Akram Afif retains his place on the left and remains Qatar's most creative outlet. The biggest doubt is whether Almoez Ali forces his way into the starting XI ahead of Abdurisag.

Morocco v Haiti (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

Morocco arrive as Group Stage leaders on the back of five wins in their last five competitive outings, and with a clean injury list there is every reason for Walid Regragui to keep faith with the same unit.

Morocco (4-2-3-1)

We predict an unchanged XI from the Scotland victory. Hakimi and Mazraoui provide the attacking width, Ounahi controls tempo, and Saibari leads the line. The only lingering question is whether Regragui rotates in view of the knockout rounds, but given Morocco's settled shape and momentum, we expect him to resist.

Haiti (5-4-1)

Haiti have lost three in a row and need to find something against one of the tournament's best-organised sides. We predict the same 5-4-1 defensive structure, with Pierrot again tasked with holding the ball up alone. The x-factor is whether Derrick Etienne comes in to offer more pace on the counter.

Scotland v Brazil (Hard Rock Stadium)

Scotland need a result to maintain any knockout-stage hopes, while Brazil carry WWWDW form and simply need to avoid a heavy defeat, making this a fascinating tactical mismatch in terms of ambition.

Scotland (4-4-1-1)

We predict Steve Clarke sticks with the 4-4-1-1 that beat both Norway and Iceland in qualifying. McTominay in the hole behind Adams is Scotland's best chance of threatening a Brazil back line. Ben Doak could be the wildcard option off the bench if Scotland need to chase the game.

Brazil (4-3-3)

Neymar remains unavailable, and we expect Brazil's coaching staff to retain the same XI that dismantled Haiti. Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior, and Matheus Cunha form a front three with the pace and movement to stretch any defence. The only genuine selection doubt is whether Endrick earns a start in place of Cunha, though the Haiti performance makes a change unlikely.

This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.