GROUP C - a Simple CS WC Guide

To Advance out of Group C

• Brazil -1000

• Morocco -400

• Scotland -330

• Haiti -202

To Win Group C

• Brazil -625

• Morocco +600

• Scotland +1200

• Haiti +10000

To Win the World Cup

• Brazil +766

• Morocco +5000

• Scotland +26000

• Haiti +300000

Expectations are sky high for Brazil. Brazil enter as one of the tournament favorites, bringing their trademark attacking flair, technical brilliance, and relentless attacking style that is a trademark of the beautiful game.

Brazil brought in former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and he could be the difference maker. Add to that the tournament being in the Americas and what will most likely feel like home field advantage will give Brazil a great chance at winning the title.

Most Interesting Player

One of the best players in the world. Hard to choose from this team. Pure star power - flair, goals and assists produce relentlessly dynamic performances. Vinicius could be here but since Barca beat out Real Madrid…..

Morocco is still riding high off their 4th place finish in the Qatar WC in 2022. They have world class players, play very physically and are capable of making another run. They will play a high-pressing, intense style and hope to have the same success with set pieces they did in 2022. The expectations are high this year.

Most Interesting Player

Scored 5 goals in the recent AFCON tournament. There is a ton of hype, and the fans love his flair.

Haiti Physical, energetic style that focuses on direct attacking. This Caribbean side is tied for the longest odds of the 48 teams with another CONCACAF team, Curacao in Group E. Haiti is a nice story but is completely out manned in this group.

Most Interesting Player

15-year captain and veteran leader who is known for great saves. And, they are going to need it in this group.

Scotland is a high pressing club that plays very physically and relies on set-pieces as a part of their attack. Expectations are modest, but they could make some memorable moments and definitely have a chance to advance beyond the round of 32.

Clean Sheet will be penciling in all three of these matches in the calendar. Make sure to catch pregame pageantry with Scotland, best in the world.

Most Interesting Player

The former Man United cast off and now Serie A champion and Ballon d’Or nominee whom Scottish fans are celebrating. An old-school player who makes great runs at the goal and plays with great passion.

Brazil

Visiting?

• Ipanema Beach, Rio’s famous coastline

• Amazon Rainforest

• Carnival, the countries biggest street party.

Population: 212M

Area: 3,300,000 Miles²

Region: South America

Capital: Brasilia

Language: Portuguese

Greeting: Bom Dia (good morning)

Cuisine: Bold, fresh, layered and deeply communal. Corn, Chilies, Lime, Cilantro, Onion, Beans. Tacos are well known around the world.

Selecao “The Selection”

Group C

World Ranking 6

WC Apps. All of Them (23)

Best WC Finish: 5 Time Champions (most, last in 2002)

FIFA Governing Body: CONMEBOL

Head Coach: Carlo Ancelotti (Italian)

Captain: Marquinhos (PSG)

All Time Top Scorer: Neymar (128 caps, 79 goals)

The Fans

Brazilian fans, known as the Torcida “Supporters”, turn every match into a carnival. Drums, samba rhythms, colorful flags, and non-stop singing create an electric atmosphere that fills stadiums worldwide.

The support is massive, passionate, and infectious. There will be huge Brazilian fans inside and out of each stadium.

Players to Watch

• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – Maybe also the most interesting player.

• Endrick (Lyon) –Teenager making waves heading to his first WC.

• Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle).

• Allison (goalkeeper, Liverpool)

• Casimero (Man United)

• This list could go 20 deep.

Morocco

Visiting?

• Explore Marrakech, a vibrant city that includes The Medina of Marrakech, a World Heritage site.

• Check out the Atlas Mountains, the start of the Sarah Desert or the rugged coastline and beaches of the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

• Feel the blend of Europe and Africa in the port of Tangier. Just 8 miles separate Spain and Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Allah, Al Watan, Al Malik - “God, the Nation, the King”

Population: 36 M

Area: 172,000 Miles²

Region: Northern Africa

Capital: Rabat

Language: Arabic & Berber.

Greeting: Lebas? (how are you)

Cuisine: Lebas (Couscous) with meat, often lamb, and veggies. Seafood is also prevalent and available from long Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean coastline. Bread is a staple at every meal and mint tea is a favorite at teatime.

Atlas Lions

Group C

World Ranking 12

WC Apps. 6

Best WC Finish: 4th place in Qatar 2022.

FIFA Governing Body: CAF

Head Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (Belgian-Moroccan)

Captain: Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

All Time Top Scorer: Ahmed Faras (94 caps, 36 goals) in the early 1960’s & 1970’s.

The Fans

The Rosso Verde, “Red & Green”, Moroccan supporters are among the most passionate and vocal in the world. The “Atlas Lions” fans—huge in number, especially with their proximity and European influence. Expect the fans to create significant noise with flags, drums, and chants.

Players to Watch

• Achraf Hakimi (PSG) – The lightning-fast leader and attacking full-back who sets the tone.

• Youssef En-Nesyri Fenerbahçe) – The proven goal poacher and 2022 hero.

• Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) .

• Yassine Bounou (goalkeeper, Al-Hilal).

Haiti

Visiting?

• Be careful these days unfortunately. The country is still recovering from a huge earthquake in 2010 and there is significant political instability and crime.

• Check out the Citadelle Fortress, a World Heritage Site.

• There are travel alerts for Haiti, make sure to check as conditions change.

La Perle des Antilles “The Pearl of the Antilles”

Population: 11 M

Area: 11,000 Miles²

Region: North America - Carribean

Capital: Port-Au-Prince

Language: Haitian Creole & French

Greeting: M pa Pli mal (no worse than before in answer to how are you).

Cuisine: Bold, spicy, flavorful. A combination of African, French, Spanish and Arab. Creole is another word used. Not uncommon to have a rich stew with Plantains on the side.

The Grenadiers, Le Rouge et Bleu “The Red and Blues”

Group C

World Ranking 84

WC Apps. 2

Best WC Finish: Group Stage 1974

FIFA Governing Body: CONCACAF

Head Coach: Sebastien Migne (French)

Captain: Johny Placide (Bastia - Level 2 in France)

All Time Top Scorer: Duckens Nazon (80 caps, 44 goals) Will be playing in this tournament.

The Fans

Grenadye Alaso! The fan identity is based on the historical Haitian Creole battle cry. Haitian fans bring vibrant Caribbean passion wherever they go. Colorful, loud, and full of pride, they create an upbeat, rhythmic atmosphere with drumming and singing that reflects the country’s resilient spirit. Typically small in number, it’s possible playing in the USA will bring more fans.

Players to Watch

• Duckens Nazon (Esteghlal, Iran) – The all-time leading scorer and experienced finisher carrying the attack.

• Johny Placide (captain) – The veteran leader providing stability and shot-stopping.

• Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) – The exciting new European-based talent adding fresh firepower.

Scotland

Visiting?

• Play one of the amazing golf courses. St Andrews is probably most famous.

• Hit the highlands, beautiful.

• Glencoe is one of Clean Sheets favorite vacation spots, hiking, views, warm pubs and friendly people.

“The Land of Hope and Glory”

Population: 6 M

Area: 30,000 Miles²

Region: Northern Europe

Capital: Edinburgh

Language: English & Gaelic

Greeting: Slainte mhath (cheers!)

Cuisine: Haggis is the national dish but caution, it’s made from sheep offal mixed with onions, oats and spices and traditionally cooked in a sheep’s stomach. For the less adventurous, there are great hearty stews with both meat/fish and fresh vegies.

The Tartan Terriers

(Tartan is a textured pattern in textiles - hence the kilts)

Group D

World Ranking 43

WC Apps. 9

Best WC Finish: Have not gotten out of a Group.

FIFA Governing Body: UEFA

Head Coach: Steve Clarke (Scottish)

Captain: Andy Robertson (Liverpool)

All Time Top Scorer: Kenny Dalglish (102 caps, 30 goals) in the 1970’s and 1980’s and Denis Law (55 caps, 30 goals) in the 1960’s and 1970’s

The Fans

Tartan Army earn the reputation as one of the most passionate fan bases in the world AND they have won awards for their friendly behavior and charitable work as well as been reprimanded for expressing their opinion of England and “God Save the Queen”. This was a headline coming out of Edinburgh in 2024, “Scotland fans snub Foreign Office on German beer strength advice ahead of Euro 2024.” It was estimated 100,000 Scotts traveled to the tournament for the experience.

If you watch just one thing this World Cup, have it be the pregame ceremony before Scotland matches and enjoy the playing of “The Flower of Scotland”. One of the best pregame experiences in all of sport.

Players to Watch

• Andy Robertson (captain, Liverpool)

• Scott McTominay (Napoli)

• John McGinn (Aston Villa)

• Lewis Ferguson (Bologna)

• Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)

• Billy Gilmour (Brighton)

• Craig Gordon (Hearts)